Islamabad (Web Desk): The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday disposed of a petition regarding the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's (PTI) planned long march and protest planned for September 27, while directing the concerned authorities to take the necessary steps.
A three-judge bench headed by IHC Chief Justice (CJ) Sarfraz Dogar, and comprising Justice Azam Khan and Justice Asif, delivered its reserved ruling, observing that neither a political party nor any public office-holder has the authority to block roads in Islamabad.
Attorney General of Pakistan (AGP) Mansoor Usman Awan, Islamabad Advocate General Naveed Malik, the Prosecutor General, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Secretary Shahab Ali Shah and the KP inspector general of police appeared before the bench.
The court also allowed video footage from PTI demonstrations conducted in 2022 and 2024 to be shown during the hearing.
During his arguments, Islamabad Advocate General Naveed Malik said that state machinery had been deployed during the 2022 protest.
He added that cranes were brought in to clear the obstacles installed by the Islamabad administration in an effort to prevent the march from moving forward.
Malik claimed that demonstrators had set D-Chowk ablaze and caused significant damage. He further stated that Islamabad faced a similar situation in 2024, alleging that the federal capital was attacked with full force.
The advocate general also pointed to statements from PTI leaders referring to “freedom or martyrdom”, arguing that such rhetoric could not be regarded as an indication of a peaceful demonstration.
He told the court that the proposed long march seemed to be driven by two primary demands: obtaining the release of a prisoner and removing the government from power. He maintained that neither demand was compatible with the Constitution.
Naveed Malik further argued that organisers could not stage a protest without obtaining permission from a magistrate, as the law requires an application to be filed in advance.
He called for preventive action by the court, cautioning that the administration would not be in a position to manage the situation if two million people moved towards Islamabad.
The advocate general said the authorities could enforce Section 144 and put administrative measures in place, but they could not resort to firing on their own citizens or expose them to serious risks to their lives.
Meanwhile, the petitioner’s lawyer told the court that the KP chief minister had repeatedly spoken about bringing four million people to Islamabad.
He argued that allowing a demonstration based on what he described as unconstitutional demands, without taking steps to prevent it, could leave the administration with no alternative if the court also failed to provide directions.
During the hearing, the bench called the KP inspector general of police to the rostrum and asked him to read the affidavit he had submitted before the court.
CJ Sarfraz Dogar questioned the provincial police chief about whether he would stop and disperse demonstrators if an illegal or unconstitutional gathering were to take place.
The KP IG assured the bench that his affidavit had been filed in line with the court’s instructions. He further pledged that any unlawful activity or attempt to advance from the province would be halted at all costs.
After the KP advocate general presented a written report before the court, the bench reserved its decision.
The court later announced the verdict, issued directions to the relevant authorities and disposed of the petition.