Court Orders Provincial Leaders to Prevent Misuse of State Resources for PTI Protest

In a decisive ruling, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) has instructed the chief ministers of all provinces to ensure that government resources are not utilized in support of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) protest scheduled for September 27 in Islamabad. The court's decision comes as PTI prepares for a nationwide demonstration aimed at demanding the release of party founder Imran Khan and advocating for constitutional supremacy.

The IHC's bench, led by Chief Justice Sardar Muhammad Sarfraz Dogar, addressed a plea from citizen Waqas Ahmed, who raised concerns that the protest could lead to significant disruptions in daily life, traffic, and business in the capital. During the deliberations, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police chief assured the court that no unlawful activities would be permitted in relation to the planned march.

Legal Scrutiny of PTI's Planned March

As the hearing unfolded, the court reviewed a miscellaneous application from the Islamabad Advocate General, who sought permission to present videos of previous PTI protests from 2022 and 2024. The Advocate General argued that these videos showcased the violent nature of past demonstrations and claimed that state machinery had been misused during those events. Initially hesitant, Chief Justice Dogar eventually allowed the screening of the footage, which was played for the court to illustrate the potential for unrest during the upcoming protest.

Concerns Over Public Safety and Constitutional Integrity

The Islamabad Advocate General outlined serious concerns regarding the PTI's objectives for the protest, asserting that the march aimed at securing the release of a convicted individual and destabilizing the current government, both of which he deemed unconstitutional. He emphasized that the administration must be prepared to enact preventive measures, such as imposing Section 144, to maintain public order during the anticipated large-scale gathering.

In response, the petitioner's counsel questioned the rationale behind waiting for a potential crisis before seeking judicial intervention, stressing that citizens should not have to wait for their safety to be compromised before approaching the court. The discourse highlighted the tension between the right to protest and the need for law and order in the capital as the IHC continues to navigate the legal complexities surrounding PTI's planned demonstration.

Source: www.dawn.com