ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Friday asked the district administration to decide the venue for Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf’s (PTI) public gathering in accordance with the relevant constitutional provisions.

IHC Justice Saman Rafat Imtiaz disposed of the petition of PTI with the observation that the constitution guaranteed freedom of peaceful assembly with reasonable restrictions which could not be taken away on the pretext that the political party poses a threat.

During the hearing of the petition, the judge inquired that as if another protest demonstration was also being held in the federal capital.

The court was told that the district administration rejected all the applications seeking permission to hold public gatherings.

Counsel for the PTI requested the court that district administration may be directed to issue no objection certificate for holding the sit-in outside the National Press Club in Sector F-6 of Islamabad or Fathima Jinnah Park in F-9.

Advocate General Islamabad Ayaz Shaukat informed the court that Jamat-i-Islami issued the sit-in call for D-Chowk and the PTI was seeking a venue close to this place.

Besides, the JUI also announced the protest after Jumma prayer, he said adding that the district administration did not allow these parties to hold protest demonstration.

He said the district administration had imposed section 144 in the federal capital and have blocked different roads.

Justice Imtiaz pointed out that the Supreme Court had ruled against the road blockades.

She remarked that the response shows that as if district administration would not allow PTI to hold jalsa for an indefinite period.

Advocate General said that the PTI jalsa would create chaos.

At this the judge remarked that the government should not feel insecure and such helplessness would not give a good message across the borders.

Shaukat replied that the government is more concerned for own people.

The judge reserved the decision for a while and then issued a written order stating that PTI’s protest on Friday was practically not possible, the government may decide venue for PTI’s protest on July 29.

He issued the direction to the district administration to pass a speaking order on the application seeking protest on July 29.

Published in Dawn, July 27th, 2024