Muhammad Faizan Aslam Khan: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has ordered the formation of a larger bench to hear a petition challenging the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)’s planned September 27 long march, with the next hearing scheduled for September 10.
The court issued a written order in the case and sought responses from the parties over concerns regarding the potential impact of the proposed protest on public order and citizens’ fundamental rights.
The IHC has summoned the Chief Commissioner Islamabad, District Magistrate Islamabad and Inspector General of Police (IGP) Islamabad in their personal capacity.
The Secretary Communications, IGP Motorway Police and Secretary Establishment have also been directed to appear before the court personally.
The court issued notices to the Advocates General of Islamabad, Punjab, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, along with the Prosecutor General Islamabad.
Given the sensitive nature of the matter, the Attorney General for Pakistan has also been served a notice.
The petitioner argued that the PTI long march could disrupt public movement, businesses and essential services in Islamabad. The petition maintained that while peaceful protest is a constitutional right, no political party has an unrestricted right to use public roads in a manner that affects the rights of other citizens.
The petitioner further contended that government resources cannot be used for political mobilisation and urged the authorities to take preventive measures ahead of the proposed march.
The case raises questions about maintaining a balance between the constitutional right to peaceful protest and the fundamental rights of citizens, public order and uninterrupted essential services.
The Islamabad High Court decided to constitute a larger bench after considering the importance and sensitivity of the PTI long march case.
