PTI withdraws IHC plea for capital sit-in

CJ says modern approach should be adopted instead of placing containers on roads

ISLAMABAD:

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Tuesday withdrew a petition seeking permission to hold a rally and a sit-in in Islamabad.

When Islamabad High Court (IHC) Chief Justice Aamer Farooq took up the petition of traders against the PTI’s expected sit-in and possible closure of roads, the PTI counsel requested to withdraw the petition, which was accepted by the court. The court disposed of the PTI plea.

During the hearing, the IHC chief justice said that the decision of the Supreme Court and the IHC regarding sit-ins was there.

He maintained that placing containers on roads was not a solution to the problem and that a modern approach should be adopted.

He said that even if a protest takes place in Rawalpindi, those travelling to Islamabad may face difficulties. The judge said that "nobody can challenge the write of the state”.

During the hearing, after the PTI withdrew its petition, the court also disposed of the petition of the traders.

Last week, the IHC chief justice had said that rallies were the right of the people but they should not fringe upon the fundamental rights of other citizens.

During the last hearing, while hearing a traders’ plea regarding the former ruling party's long march and expected sit-in and the possible closure of roads, IHC Chief Justice Farooq had said that no one can be allowed to block the motorway.

He had said that businesses would be affected if highways and motorways were blocked, adding that no one had the right to hold a sit-in on the motorway.

The IHC chief justice had said that foreigners were present in Islamabad and diplomatic movements could also be impacted.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 23^rd, 2022.