FINALLY SOME SENSE: Pakistan's Supreme Court blasts Imran, Bajwa & ISI; says 'cut the hate, follow the law'

In a rare rebuke to Pakistan's powerful military, top court on Wednesday prohibited m from engaging in political activities and directed spy ncies like ISI to operate within law.

Delivering a landmark verdict on 2017 Faizab sit-in by hardline Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) and or smaller groups, a two-member Supreme Court bench also ordered government to act against those propagating "hatred, extremism and terrorism".

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

court directed all government ncies and departments, including those run by army like spy ncy Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) to operate within limits defined by law.

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bench ordered that members of Armed Forces were prohibited from engaging in any kind of political activity, which includes supporting a party, faction or individual.

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

Several experts were of view that Prime Minister Imran Khan was supported by country's powerful army in last year's general election.

Pakistan's powerful military has ruled country through various coups for nearly half of country's history since independence in 1947. military plays an important role in country's decision making.

apex court also outlawed religious edicts called fatwas that aimed to harm ors.

"A person issuing an edict or fatwa, which harms ar or puts ar in harm's way, must be criminally prosecuted under Pakistan Penal Code, Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997 and/or Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016," court ruled.

court upheld that subject to reasonable restrictions imposed by law, citizens have right to form and to be members of political parties. y can also assemble for peaceful protest.

It said right to assemble and protest is circumscribed only to extent that it infringes on fundamental rights of ors, including ir right to free movement and to hold and enjoy property.

court ordered that those protesters who obstruct people's right to use ros and dam or destroy property must be proceeded against in accordance with law and held accountable.

It initiated suo motu proceedings on vember 21, 2017 after TLP blocked a main highway leing to Islamab.

During 20-day long protest in 2017, daily life in Islamab was disrupted when protesters belonging to TLP, Tehreek-i-Labbaik Ya Rasool Allah, Tehreek-i-Khatm-i-Nabuwwat and Pakistan Sunni Tehreek occupied Faizab Interchange which connects Rawalpindi and Islamab, busiest ros in twin cities.