Muhammad Faizan Aslam Khan: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has barred provincial governments from using official vehicles, machinery or other state resources for the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) march and protest planned for September 27.
The court also ruled that no political party or leader has the legal right to block roads in Islamabad, stressing that any march or rally must not disrupt citizens’ freedom of movement.
A larger bench headed by Chief Justice Sarfraz Dogar issued the written order on a petition concerning the PTI’s planned protest.
The IHC directed provincial governments not to use government resources for any march, rally or procession heading towards Islamabad. It further ruled that no government employee could be forced to participate in such political activities.
The court said any activity in Islamabad that affects citizens’ fundamental rights would constitute a violation of the Constitution. A public official responsible for infringing fundamental rights would also be in violation of the Constitution and the oath of office, it observed.
The court directed chief secretaries, the Islamabad chief commissioner and police chiefs to establish helplines or direct contact mechanisms through which government employees could report pressure from political leaders or officials to join the march.
The IHC emphasised that political protests must remain within the law and should not obstruct public movement or compromise the fundamental rights of citizens.
