IHC larger bench hears petition against PTI’s planned September 27 protest and long march, with provincial officials summoned again.
ISLAMABAD: Islamabad High Court Chief Justice Sardar Muhammad Sarfraz Dogar has rejected an argument that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s planned long march is being organised to support the judiciary, saying the courts do not need political backing.
The remarks came during a hearing on a petition challenging PTI’s planned protest and long march on September 27. A three-member larger bench, headed by Chief Justice Dogar and comprising Justice Azam Khan and Justice Muhammad Asif, heard the petition filed by trader Waqas Ahmed on Thursday.
Attorney General Mansoor Usman Awan, Islamabad Advocate General Naveed Hayat Malik, Islamabad Inspector General Ali Nasir Rizvi, representatives of the Motorway Police and police departments from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, Sindh and Balochistan, Islamabad Deputy Commissioner Irfan Nawaz Memon and other senior officials appeared before the bench.
At the outset, petitioner’s counsel Akhtar Chhina read out the order issued during the previous hearing.
Attorney General Mansoor Usman Awan then presented his arguments and referred to an assurance given before the Supreme Court in May 2022. He said a clear undertaking had been given to the apex court at the time, but the court’s orders were later violated.
During the proceedings, the Advocate General of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa questioned why the PTI long march was being treated as an attack, arguing that the demonstration was being organised in support of the judiciary.
Chief Justice Dogar rejected the argument, observing that the judiciary was not so weak that it needed the support of any political party.
The chief justice also noted that court orders had been violated in the past but made it clear that the court would not allow citizens’ rights to be violated.
The bench also examined legislation governing protests in Islamabad. Referring to the 2024 law regulating demonstrations in the federal capital, the attorney general said statements issued by a provincial chief minister should be taken seriously.
The court directed the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa advocate general to present a record of action previously taken against individuals who had violated court orders.
The bench again summoned the inspectors general of police, chief secretaries and other relevant officials from all provinces.
The hearing was subsequently adjourned until today.
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