Full bench takes up Minar-e-Pakistan petition

Applicant says Mall Road cannot be used for protests as it disrupts routine life

LAHORE: Justice Ayesha A Malik sent a petition seeking orders to declare Minar-e-Pakistan as a place to stage any sort of protest to a full bench. She suggested that the location be used rather than Mall Road for protests as blocking the major thoroughfare effects the business community and the flow of traffic on a large scale.

The petition was sent to a full bench which is already hearing a number of cases. Petitioner Rana Ilam Din asked the court to declare Minar-e-Pakistan as ‘the Hyde Park of London” where protesters could voice their demands by holding sit-ins and protests.

Justice Ayesha took up the petition which pointed out that protests on The Mall not only ruined the workings of the business community, but also affected both private and government offices apart from disrupting the flow of traffic.

Ilam Din contended that LHC had a imposed ban over protests on The Mall, but the court’s orders were being violated. The petitioner suggested that a place like Minar-e-Pakistan be designated for protests, much like London’s Hyde Park.



The petitioner had also filed a plea with the LHC on March 28 in which he sought action against Punjab Law Minister Rana Sana Ullah and the provincial inspector general of police (IGP) for “failing” to comply with the court ban on processions, sit-ins and protests on Mall Road. Apart from the law minster and IGP, the petitioner also held the chief secretary responsible for these circumstances. He said no action was being taken against people who gathered on Mall Road for protests despite court orders.

Citing the lady health workers’ protest, he pointed out that The Mall was choked with heavy traffic jams and citizens faced a lot of trouble in reaching their destinations. Ilam Din further contended that not complying with the orders was tantamount to contempt of court. He argued it was the job of the government and its institutions to implement such orders. He asked the court to initiate contempt proceedings against provincial law minister Rana Sanaullah, IGP and chief secretary.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 3^rd, 2018.