ISLAMABAD: The politician from Rawalpindi known for his off-the-cuff remarks astounded the Supreme Court on Friday by suggesting that more litigation, related to the prevailing political impasse, might be on its way to the apex court.

Appearing before the court, Awami Muslim League chief Sheikh Rashid Ahmed – an ally of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf – remarked, “Maybe the ball is coming to your court next week (considering) things are moving pretty fast.”

The statement came like a bolt from the blue.

Court agrees to wait for a political solution to prevailing impasse

Mr Rashid was appearing on notice before a five-judge bench headed by Chief Justice Nasirul Mulk, which is hearing a set of 11 identical petitions moved by different bar associations.

The petitions seek restraining orders against unconstitutional measures and challenge the legitimacy of the ongoing sit-ins being staged by protesting parties.

His remarks also stunned the likes of Mehmood Khan Achakzai, Aftab Sherpao and Ejazul Haq, who had come to Courtroom No. 1 to attend Friday’s proceedings. Even Aitzaz Ahsan, who appeared on behalf of his Pakistan People’s Party and the Jamaat-i-Islami, said that “Sheikh Sahib has made a telling statement”.

Mr Ahsan said he was reminded of the events of Nov 2, 2007, when he appeared before a larger bench headed by Justice Javed Iqbal, which was hearing petitions challenging the eligibility of former President Pervez Musharraf to contest the presidential elections.

He said he had warned the court then the government was making suspicious attempts to pave the way for certain extra-constitutional measures.

While the case was adjourned for three days (till Nov 5); his fears were realised when Gen Musharraf finally proclaimed emergency the very next day.

This prompted the chief justice to observe that the Supreme Court had already issued an order on Aug 15 restraining state authorities from acting in any manner unwarranted by the Constitution and the law.

The chief justice also stressed that since the outset, the court has only been concerned that the Constitution should be adhered to and has asked for a political settlement for all political disputes.

But when Justice Saqib Nisar remarked that in his view Sheikh Rashid was referring to a positive development rather than a negative one, Mr Ahsan responded saying, “I have known Sheikh Sahib for a long time but have never understood him”.

Mr Rashid requested the Supreme Court to wait for an outcome from the ongoing negotiations between the government and the protesting parties.

He said that the two sides had hammered out 80 per cent of their differences and that only 20 per cent remained.

“Since the case is very sensitive, we should wait for a resolution of the issue,” he said. The court, acceding to his request, postponed further proceedings until Sept 10.

Published in Dawn, September 6th, 2014