Islamabad: Pakistan's Supreme Court today prohibited members of its armed forces

from engaging in political activities and directed state agencies like the Inter-
Services Intelligence or ISI to operate within the law as it ordered the government
to act against those propagatins "hatred, extremism and terrorism". The order by a
two-member bench of the top court came while delivering a verdict on the 2017
Faizabad sit-in by the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) and other smaller outfits.
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". The
court also directed all government agencies and departments, including those run by
the army like Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), to operate within the limits
defined by the law. Court also ordered that members of the armed forces were
prohibited from engaging in any kind of political activity, which includes
supporting a party, faction or individual. 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. Several experts were of the
view that Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan was supported by the country's army
in the last year's general election. Pakistan's military has ruled the country
through various coups for nearly half of the country's history since independence
in 1947. The military plays an important role in the country's decision making.
Court ordered that those protesters who obstruct people's right to use roads and
damage or destroy property must be proceeded against in accordance with the law and
held accountable.