LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Monday directed the law officers of federal and Punjab governments to file replies to a petition seeking a restraining order against the ongoing long march of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI).

Justice Jawad Hassan was hearing the petition filed by Naeem Mir, the chairman of the supreme council of the All Pakistan Traders Association.

Advocate General of Punjab (AGP) Ahmad Awais appeared before the court and stated that the PTI had not been made a party to the petition.

In an apparent support to the long march of his party (the AGP is a senior member of the PTI), he said the people were left with no other option but to take to the streets if they were deprived of their democratic rights. He said the PTI’s long march was against the federal government for not protecting the rights of the citizens.

At this, Justice Hassan observed that as far as the courts were there the citizens would not be denied their rights.

In an obvious reference to the assassination attempt on PTI chairman Imran Khan, AGP Awais said a person was hit by bullets and police were not registering a case as per the complaint.

Deputy Attorney General (DAG) Nasir Javed Ghumman interrupted and said the Punjab government was responsible for the non-registration of the first information report (FIR).

The AGP said a strong joint investigation team (JIT) was needed to be formed to find the truth.

“You should form a JIT as your party has the government in the province,” the federal law officer taunted Mr Awais.

Justice Hassan observed that the only concern of the court was that the protest remained peaceful.

The DAG told the court that the federal government had asked the provincial government to maintain the law and order and ensure that the motorway was not closed to traffic.

He pointed out that the GT Road and the M-2 were the two main arteries of the province while one of them was completely closed for traffic during the protest.

The judge observed that nobody could shut the arteries of the province.

The judge adjourned the hearing till Nov 21 and directed the law officers of the both governments to submit written replies to the petition.

On the last hearing, the judge had turned down the request of the petitioner to pass an immediate restraining order against the long march.

The petitioner, through his counsel, submitted that the respondents should take steps for improvement of the law and order and arrange an open place outside the cities for lawful demonstrations, protests or processions by the political parties, till a final decision of this petition. He said the PTI workers blocked entrance and exit points on the motorways and other main roads.

Published in Dawn, November 15th, 2022