No one will be allowed to shut down Islamabad on Nov 2, IHC tells authorities

IHC issues orders to summon PTI chief to appear before court on Monday

ISLAMABAD: Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday ordered authorities not to place any containers or block roads for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)'s Islamabad lockdown on November 2.

"No one will be allowed to shut down Islamabad on Nov 2," Judge Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui said while hearing petitions filed against the mass protest. "Fundamental rights of common man cannot be compromised in the name of protest," he added, according to Radio Pakistan.

The order stated that though it is PTI's right to register protest, no party will be allowed to siege the city.



The judge further stated that all hospitals, schools and businesses will remain open on the day of the protest, while adding that no container should be placed on roads on November 2. He directed the district administration to designate a specific area for PTI's public meeting.

During the hearing, Siddiqui issued orders to summon PTI Chairman Imran Khan to appear before the court on Monday, October 31. Further, directing Pemra to present records of Imran's speeches in which he claimed to shut down the capital on November 2, the court said the speeches will be played during Imran's presence in court.



Section 144 imposed

Office of the district magistrate Islamabad on Thursday imposed Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, banning public protests and rallies in the capital.