ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has instructed local authorities to assign a specific location to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) for conducting its demonstration and to prevent any illegal protests in the federal capital that could lead to lockdown or disturb peace during the SCO summit.
As per media report, the directives were issued by IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq in a three-page order on Saturday, following a hearing of the petition filed by Traders Welfare Association President Raja Hassan Akhtar, who sought the court’s intervention to halt the major opposition party’s protest in Islamabad.
The law and order situation in Islamabad remains precarious as the Imran Khan-founded party attempted to stage a protest at D-Chowk, despite the imposition of Section 144 (which prohibits political activities and gatherings) in the twin cities to ensure security ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation meeting.
Clashes also broke out between the law enforcers and party workers, with both sides claiming that the other had attacked them.
Police fired tear gas at the protesters on Saturday in the capital as well as at the convoys trying to enter Islamabad, while the workers used slingshots to hit the law enforcers.
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The PTI’s protests entered the second day in Islamabad while it also started in Lahore, badly affecting the routine life due to blockade of roads, police-protesters’ clashes, and suspension of metro services.
The high court’s top judge noted that the freedom of assembly and movement are fundamental rights provided to the citizens under Articles 16 and 17 of the Constitution.
Justice Farooq stated that the Ministry of Interior and the Islamabad administration were responsible for the maintenance of peace and law and order in the federal capital.
However, such activities “are subject to reasonable and proportional restrictions in accordance with the law. These restrictions are only justifiable if they serve a legitimate purpose, which must be in the best interest of the larger public,” the order stated.
