PTI postpones decision to hold protest in Islamabad

The decision came after IHC decided to reserve its decision following implementation of Section 144

ISLAMABAD:

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) postponed its protest on Friday in the federal capital following the Islamabad High Court's (IHC) decision to reserve its judgment on PTI's petition seeking permission to hold the protest.

On Monday, PTI Secretary General Omar Ayub Khan called on everyone to "fully participate" in the peaceful protest across the country.

He stated the party's three demands would be the immediate release of incarcerated PTI leaders and supporters, maintaining peace in the country, and protesting against growing inflation.

Justice Saman Rifat presided over the hearing of the petition submitted by PTI leader Amir Mughal. The party's request for a protest on 26 July had been denied by the Islamabad administration.

The state counsel informed the court that the federal capital's administration had refused all political parties' requests for rallies, highlighting the tense security situation.

Read IHC orders Islamabad administration to engage with PTI amid protest call

Justice Saman inquired about the permission for the PTI protest, suggesting that it be allowed on Monday. She questioned whether the district administration had granted permission to Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) for their protest.

AG Shaukat responded that permission was not granted to JI either and, given the imposition of Section 144 in Islamabad, they could not grant permission to PTI. He added that due to the JI protest, the entire city was effectively closed.

Justice Saman further questioned the relevance of the JI sit-in to the PTI protest and why PTI could not receive permission. She noted that the F-9 area does not fall under Section 144, to which AG Shaukat replied that Section 144 had been imposed across the whole of Islamabad.

Justice Suman remarked, "You might as well declare that you never want to allow PTI to protest"

AG Shaukat reiterated that permission had not been granted, mentioning previous instances such as the TLP sitting during Ashura.

Further addressing the uncertainty, AG responded, "We do not know what the situation will be on Monday."

Following arguments from both sides, the court reserved its decision.