Top court delays decision on Pakistan crisis

(5 Apr 2022) RESTRICTION SUMMARY: ASSOCIATED PRESS Islamabad - 5 April 2022 1. Various of lawyers and political leadership of government and opposition arriving at supreme court 2. Set up shot opposition leader Shahbaz Sharif talking to media 3. SOUNDBITE (Urdu) Shahbaz Sharif, opposition leader in parliament: "In front of the nation, Imran Khan Niazi declared 197 honorable members of the parliament traitors through the deputy speaker's ruling. So today, I demand from General (Qamar Javed) Bajwa, who is the chief of the army, and I demand from the DG ISI (chief of Pakistan's intelligence agency), as they are members of the national security council, if we are traitors then please show proof to the nation and to the honorable court and if we are not involved in any international conspiracy then falsehood will be exposed." 4. Sharif leaving for court hearing 5. Wide supporters of opposition parties chanting slogans "Go Niazi Go" 6. Wide exterior of Pakistan supreme court building 7. SOUNDBITE (English) Muhammad Azher Siddiqui, lawyer in Pakistan government legal team: "In our opinion it's not a constitutional crisis. The matter has to be decided by the court with reference to the implementation of article 69-A, that all the proceedings with reference to the vote of no confidence has to be within the parliament, and that cannot be questioned before a court, and the other aspect with reference to any economic turmoil or anything other than that, I don't think so this case is going to effect those issues, but in any case the proceedings are on the way and it's hoped that the same maybe decided within this week." 8. Various of security near court building 9. Various of roads towards court blocked with shipping containers ASSOCIATED PRESS Karachi - 5 April 2022 10. Mid shot of people walking at street market 11. SOUNDBITE (Urdu) Akhtar Baloch, writer, local resident: "Everything is suspended. There is no certainty. People don't know what to do. Whether there is going to be a third power or not. Some people are saying things will continue like this. There is a prime minister but there are doubts about his legal status. Then there is chaos in Punjab too, which is our largest province. All political parties are on one side and the PTI is on the other. I think if the court could give a quick decision these rumors would have died down but of course the judges have to hear the arguments of both sides. This uncertainty is pushing people into depression." 12. Wide of people walking in market 13. SOUNDBITE (Urdu) Ghazi Salahuddin, Pakistani journalist: "Our Supreme Court must give a verdict that is strictly in accordance with the Constitution and the law because this country is polarized. People are divided. They are not ready to listen to each other. In this situation, if the Supreme Court could not decide the case dispassionately and disinterestedly, then I don't see any future for this country." 14. Street scene 15. SOUNDBITE (Urdu) Muhammad Qasim, shopkeeper, local resident: "are already dying because of high inflation. They just don't have the time to think about these things. They are busy trying to make both ends meet. Those who champion democracy, those who claim to be the most loyal to this country should think that the country has been without a government for three days. We are telling the world that we are geographically very important, that we can play a role in Asia. We are handling the US, India, Russia and China all at the same time, but we have been without a government for three days." 16. Various street scenes STORYLINE : Clients are reminded: Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...