Summary Islamabad High Court has decided to form a larger bench to hear a petition against PTI’s September 27 protest, issuing notices to the AGP and provincial officials.
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – The Islamabad High Court has constituted a larger bench to hear a petition challenging the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) expected protest and long march on September 27, citing the sensitivity of the matter.
Chief Justice of the Islamabad High Court Justice Sarfraz Dogar heard the petition filed by citizen Waqas Ahmed.
The chief justice constituted a larger bench comprising Justice Sarfraz Dogar, Justice Azam Khan and Justice Muhammad Asif. The bench will hear the case on September 10.
In view of the sensitivity of the matter, the court has already issued notices to the Attorney General. Notices have also been issued to the inspectors general of police (IGPs), advocate generals and chief secretaries of all four provinces, who have been summoned to appear in person on September 10.
During the hearing, the petitioner’s counsel said that his client was a businessman operating in Islamabad and that the proposed PTI protest could affect him and other citizens if it was brought to the federal capital.
The chief justice questioned how the petitioner qualified as an affected party. In response, the lawyer said that the planned protest in Islamabad could disrupt citizens’ daily lives and business activities.
The petitioner’s counsel also presented various statements by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister regarding the protest, along with newspaper clippings. He argued that several related matters were already pending before the courts and should be decided in accordance with the law.
He maintained that if pending cases were used as a justification for street protests, parties involved in other cases across the country could also adopt the same approach.
Referring to the protests in 2024, the lawyer claimed that attempts were made to enter Islamabad during the demonstrations and that three Rangers personnel were killed. He also cited media reports claiming that the protests caused financial losses worth hundreds of millions of rupees.
The counsel argued that putting pressure on state institutions and courts through protests was unacceptable. During the hearing, he also presented relevant legal provisions concerning protests in Islamabad.
He said the government had the authority under the Constitution and law to impose appropriate restrictions on protests to maintain law and order.
In response to a court query, the lawyer said there were concerns over the possible use of government machinery and presented a November 21, 2024 letter issued by the Ministry of Interior.
Referring to the £190 million case, the counsel said the relevant party had been given opportunities to present arguments in the appeal, but instead of pursuing legal remedies, attempts were allegedly being made to exert pressure through protests.
Considering the sensitivity of the matter, the court issued a notice to the Attorney General and summoned the IGPs and advocate generals of all four provinces in person.
The Islamabad High Court adjourned further proceedings until September 10.
