Pakistan SC Slams Military, ISI For Politicking; Demands Action Against Those Spreading “Extremism and Terrorism”

The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Wednesday (6 February) took the Islamic republic’s military to task and slammed them for interfering in politics. The court also directed the Inter Service Intelligence (ISI) - the notorious spy agency of Pakistan - to operate within the law, Economic Times has reported.

The two-judge bench of the Pakistani Supreme Court criticised the army while delivering a landmark verdict on the 2017 Faizabad sit-in by the hardline Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) and other groups.

“If any personnel of the Armed Forces indulges in any form of politicking or tries to manipulate the media he undermines the integrity and professionalism of the Armed Forces,” the court stated in its judgement.

According to the ET report, the Pakistani apex court also directed the government to act against those who are spreading "hatred, extremism and terrorism".

"We direct the federal and provincial governments to monitor those advocating hate, extremism and terrorism and prosecute the perpetrators in accordance with the law," the bench comprising Justice Qazi Faez Isa and Justice Mushir Alam ruled.

It reportedly also directed all government agencies and departments, including those run by the army like ISI to operate with the limits of the law.

The bench said that members of armed forces were prohibited from engaging in any kind of political activity, that includes supporting a party, faction or individual.

"The government of Pakistan through the Ministry of Defence and the respective Chiefs of the Army, the Navy and the Air Force are directed to initiate action against the personnel under their command who are found to have violated their oath," the court said.