Plea filed against PDM rallies

Petitioner seeks action against leaders violating Covid prevention SOPs

LAHORE:

A writ petition filed in Lahore High Court has sought directions to the authorities concerned to restrain Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) leaders from holding public gatherings and take strict action against them for not adopting standard operating procedures (SOPs) to avoid the spread of Covid-19.

Petitioner Advocate Nadeem Sarwar implored the court that the alliance of opposition parties led by Maulana Fazlur Rehman had launched countrywide protests against the government. It held public meetings in Gujranwala, Karachi, Quetta and Multan. Now it plans to hold a public gathering in Lahore.

He contended that PDM leaders were bulldozing the SOPs announced by the government to stem the second wave of the deadly contagion which had gripped the country.

The petitioners contended that in all rallies the PDM had violated the government’s restrictions on public gatherings because of the coronavirus, which was a serious threat to the life of the people.

Despite a health emergency declared in the country, the PDM is holding rallies and the government has failed to enforce its writ as no action has been taken against leaders of the parties violating the SOPs and laws, he added.

The petitioner sought court orders for restraining the PDM from holding public gatherings and action against leaders violating the restrictions.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 3^rd, 2020.