PTI denied protest permit in Islamabad

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has ruled that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) request to protest in Islamabad on Friday could not be granted.

The court remarked that a protest today is practically impossible, and the PTI’s petition will be considered a new application. The administration is to decide on the protest request for July 29 at F-9 Park or another suitable location. The Islamabad deputy commissioner must provide reasons for the decision regarding the protest permit for July 29.

IHC’s Justice Saman Rafat Imtiaz issued a written order on PTI’s appeal against the denial of the protest permit in Islamabad. The court’s decision noted that holding a protest is impractical, so PTI’s petition will be treated as a new request.

The court’s decision highlighted that the state counsel could not justify the reasons for denying the protest permit. The petitioner requested permission to protest at F-9 Park on July 29, assuring that the protest would be peaceful and no law and order situation would arise.

The Islamabad Advocate General informed the court that Section 144 has been imposed for two months, starting from July 18. The AG stated that permission for the protest on July 29 could only be granted if other political parties did not create a law and order situation.

The state counsel stated that PTI’s request had been received and an order had been issued. The district administration has rejected all protest requests in Islamabad, citing citizens’ safety.

The AG mentioned that Jamaat-e-Islami planned a sit-in at D-Chowk on Friday and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam had also called for a protest after Friday prayers. Neither had been granted permission yet. He added that the entire Islamabad was on lockdown, and PTI’s protest could cause chaos.