Law doesn’t allow use of force against citizens: IHC

Court expresses concerns over violent clashes between police and TLP protesters

ISLAMABAD:

The Islamabad High Court on Friday expressed its concerns over the violent clashes between police and the protesters of the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), noting that the law did not allow use of force against citizens.

IHC’s Justice Aamer Farooq was hearing a plea filed by the Shuhada Foundation seeking restraining “use of force” against the protesters and lifting of the “ban” on their media coverage.

The court issued notices to the interior secretary and the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) chairman for November 2 seeking an explanation.

The IHC in its order wrote that the petitioner's lawyer Advocate Tariq Asad had told the court that a judicial commission should be set up to investigate into the violence by the police.

The lawyer further told the court the police’s unnecessary use of force against TLP’s “peaceful” protesters had led to casualties.

He added that it was the responsibility of the federal government to compensate the heirs of the deceased in accordance with the law.

According to the lawyer, Pemra has also banned the TV channels from covering the TLP’s protest march.

During the hearing, the court observed that what was happening between the police and the protesters was disturbing and the law did not allow the use of force against civilians at all.

The lawyer contended that the violence against TLP protesters should be declared “illegal” and “unconstitutional”.

Justice Aamer Farooq noted that so far, everything was happening in Punjab, which was outside the high court’s jurisdiction.

“But as it is a matter of human lives, we will look into this case,” he added.

The lawyer told the court that all these orders were being issued by the federal government.

The court remarked that we would summon the parties on Monday.

The petitioner's counsel pleaded that it would be too late by Monday, and requested the court to issue the restraining order on Friday.

The court reserved its decision on the admissibility of the petition and later issued the notices.

On Tuesday, the TLP had announced that it would continue to march towards the federal capital from Muridke after the government decided against giving any concession to the religious outfit.

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Imran Khan chaired a meeting at Bani Gala wherein it was decided not to give any leeway to the TLP.

The meeting was attended by army chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa, Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid, Federal Religious Affairs Minister Noorul Haq Qadri, Punjab Chief Minister Usman Bazdar and the province’s chief secretary among others.

The premier was briefed on the negotiations with the TLP. It was decided that further talks with the religious outfit would be held only if it ended its protest march.

Rashid, who was leading the team negotiating with the TLP, said at a news conference later in the day that the government had “no reservations” over any of the demands put forward by the religious outfit except for the shutting down of the French embassy and expulsion of its ambassador.

“It was decided [in the meeting] that this demand cannot be accepted,” he added.