'Azadi March': Top court turns down PTI plea over govt's conduct

Former ruling party's petition had sought to bar govt from using force, coercive measures or 'intimidation tactics'

ISLAMABAD:

The Supreme Court of Pakistan has refused to entertain the constitutional petition of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), seeking directions for the federal and Punjab governments to allow the former ruling party to hold a peaceful protest in Islamabad.

The petition sought to bar the incumbent government from using force, coercive measures or ‘intimidation tactics’ such as raiding homes of party workers, unlawful restrictions and blocking entry points.

The constitutional petition was filed under Article 184(3) through PTI's counsel, Ali Zafar. The petition termed the recent arrests a breach of fundamental rights of free movement, peaceful protest, association, assembly and freedom of speech.

The top court's registrar office returned the petition after raising objections, saying that a similar issue had already been decided in the Islamabad High Court Bar Association case.

A copy of the court order is available with The Express Tribune.

It also objected that the instant petition contained scandalous matter in certain paras. It also noted that the petitioner did not approach the appropriate forum to redress the grievances.

The apex court, in its order, also stated that PTI supporters “have demonstrated (from their past conduct) that they will be peaceful in the exercise of their constitutional rights".

The government's actions against the workers and supporters of the former ruling party were also criticised, particularly the use of tear gas and arrests prior to the May 25 long march.

The order maintained that the recent and ongoing actions of the government “are arbitrary, illegal, discriminatory, unlawful, and in violation of law as well as the letter and spirit of the Constitution”.