Petition against PTM heard in IHC

Hearing was adjourned till July 16

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday heard a petition asking for a ban on Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) and instructed the petitioner's counsel to present arguments in the next hearing.

 

Justice Amir Farooq, presiding over the hearing, also asked the counsel to read the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority's (PEMRA) reply.

The petitioner's counsel further prayed upon the court to shut down the social media accounts belonging to PTM leaders Mohsin Dawar, Ali Wazir and Manzoor Pashteen and also argued that since the PTM is not a registered political party, it should be banned.

Alleging that the party indulged in defamation against security institutions, the counsel asked for the PTM leaders to be held accountable.

He further asked for a complete media blackout of PTM and said that they should not get coverage on any medium of communication.

The hearing was then adjourned till July 16.

MNAs Mohsin Dawar and Ali Wazir. PHOTO: FILE

On June 10, the Election Commission of Pakistan accepted a petition seeking the disqualification of  Dawar and Wazir as members of the National Assembly (MNAs).

Dawar and Wazir were elected MNAs from North Waziristan IX (NA-48) and South Waziristan II (NA-50), respectively. The legislators are also members of the Manzoor Pashteen-led PTM.

The petitioner also filed a stay application until the disqualification matter is decided. The application requested the ECP to “restrain” Dawar and Wazir from attending their offices, public offices and assembly meetings.

The petitioner accused the lawmakers of “betraying the mother nation”.

The petition comes following tensions in North Waziristan after a clash between security officials and protesters led by the lawmakers at the Kharqamar check post in Boya.

Wazir was arrested over charges of leading the May 26 attack while Dawar surrendered on May 30. Both lawmakers are currently in police custody.