Court seeks report from police IG over closure of roads

Traders seek court directives to put an end to protests, sit-ins in Islamabad

ISLAMABAD:

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday sought a report from the Islamabad police inspector general (IG) on a petition filed by traders against the closure of roads in Islamabad ahead of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's long march and expected sit-in.

During the hearing of the case, IHC Chief Justice Amer Farooq remarked that the motorway was under the federal government and asked why the government has not opened it to traffic yet.

He argued that protests are also held in front of the Parliament, questioning "why do you then stop them?"

Justice Farooq noted that "containers are lying all over Islamabad" and asked "why don't they [the government] forms a good anti-riots force? Why install containers?"

To this, the additional attorney general told the court that law and order is a matter of the provincial government.

Subsequently, the court sought a report from IG Islamabad regarding PTI rallies and road closures in the federal capital.

The hearing of the case was adjourned till November 17.

Traders had filed a petition against the closure of roads due to protests, in which it was stated that demonstrations have been ongoing since the change of government in April.

Further, it stated that due to the protests and road closures, citizens and businessmen are facing difficulties and their fundamental rights are being infringed upon.

In the petition, the court was requested to direct the government to maintain traffic flow on the roads, especially on the motorway.

"The PTI should be asked to organise its rallies outside Islamabad," it said.

They also stated in the appeal that, due to protests and traffic closures, businessmen and citizens were having difficulties and their fundamental rights were being infringed upon.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 15^th, 2022.