LHC seeks govt’s plan for processions, rallies

A Lahore High Court (LHC) judge on Tuesday sought a comprehensive plan for rallies and processions from the Punjab caretaker government.

Justice Tariq Saleem Sheikh was hearing a petition challenging the provincial government's decision to impose Section 144 in Lahore.

The petition, filed by PTI leader Hammad Azhar through advocate Azhar Siddique, contended that the deputy commissioner of Lahore “illegally and unlawfully” imposed Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code in the provincial capital, banning and restricting the petitioner’s political party to hold their electoral campaign.

As the proceedings commenced, Justice Sheikh asked the government's representative to elaborate on which occasions Section 144 was imposed.

Justice Sheikh also inquired advocate Siddique about Hammad Azhar's absence.

His lawyer explained that he was submitting his nomination papers at the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to meet today's deadline.

"The senior leadership should be present here as we want to decide this matter," Justice Sheikh remarked.

Presenting his case, the petitioner's counsel argued that the imposition of a ban on public gatherings was illegal and claimed that other political parties are holding conventions but only the PTI is not being allowed to hold rallies, that too despite the issuance of the election schedule by the ECP.

He implored the court that after the announcement of the election date of April 30 in Punjab, the PTI announced its election campaign would begin on March 12, 2023, and moved an application seeking a NOC for conducting processions and rallies in this regard before Secretary Home.

The PTI's lawyer said that they were granted conditional permission to hold the rally but on March 12, Deputy Commissioner Lahore, illegally and unlawfully, imposed Section 144 in Lahore restricting the PTI's rally.

"All efforts were made specifically to sabotage and restrain the PTI from conducting and carrying on its well-in-advance fully-scheduled rightful and lawful political rally," he argued.

Siddique implored that once the elections schedule is announced by the ECP there is no room for the administration to impose Section 144.

The petitioner requested the court to restrain the concerned quarters from issuing such notifications in the future which are in clear negation of the fundamental rights of the political party and also requested the court to direct the authorities to provide sufficient security for PTI's rallies in the future.

After hearing the arguments the court sought a comprehensive plan of the caretaker government for dealing with political processions and rallies from the Additional Secretary Home and adjourned proceedings by March 15.