IHC disposes of bail pleas as DC withdraws case against activists

Justice Minallah says judiciary will protect citizens’ constitutional rights

ISLAMABAD: The bail pleas of 23 activists – rounded up for staging a protest in Islamabad – were disposed of by the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday.

The development came after Deputy Commissioner Hamza Shafaat informed a single-bench comprising IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah that he was withdrawing the case against the Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement (PTM) and Awami Workers Party (AWP) activists who were detained for protesting the arrest of Manzoor Pashteen.

The court had earlier granted bail to the activists and had sought an explanation for booking the activists under the anti-terrorism act and addition of sedition charges against them.

Today’s hearing

IHC grants bail to 23 activists held on sedition charges

After the deputy commissioner withdrew the case against the activists, Justice Minallah noted that the bail petitions had become infructuous.

The IHC chief justice further said the situation in the country should not mirror what is happening in India. He further emphasised that the judiciary will protect the citizens’ constitutional rights in Pakistan.

“We hope the government will take into account the fundamental rights of freedom of expression and not prohibit it,” he remarked and told the activists to approach the court if they are stopped from exercising their right to protest.

Advocate General Islamabad Niaz Ullah Niazi requested the bench to prevent the protesters from issuing anti-state statements through a written order, adding that the “secret agenda of protesters” was a “concern”.

“A little criticism should not scare anyone,” observed Justice Minallah as he added that the court expected a democratic government to not forbid freedom of speech. “Let the Parliament take a decision on that.”

He recalled that President Dr Arif Alvi had also challenged the imposition of Section 144 in the high court during the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's (PTI) 2014 sit-in, and said that those who had opposed it then should not curb citizens’ right now.