Response sought on PTI's plea for public gathering

Lahore High Court (LHC) Justice Ali Baqar Najafi has directed a law officer to come up with instructions from the authorities concerned by Friday on a plea filed by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), seeking permission to organise a public gathering at Minar-e-Pakistan on the eve of the Independence Day on August 14.

The petitioner's lawyer told the court that a fresh application had been submitted to the deputy commissioner's office a day earlier for seeking permission for the gathering but in vain.

The law officer replied that the application had been sent to the law enforcement agencies for their response.

Following this, the proceedings were adjourned till noon.

As the hearing resumed, Justice Najafi remarked that he had been asking from the day one about the policy of the government regarding political activities on the Independence Day.

The judge remarked that it appeared that the government had dual standards to treat the PTI or the other political parties.

He also mentioned the Jamaat-e-Islami's ongoing protest.

The law officer replied that the party was doing everything without permission.

Replying to a question, the law officer said he did not know what action had been taken in this regard.

Justice Najafi remarked that if the government felt a danger then the political party would submit an affidavit, but the situation would be dealt with in accordance with the law if the authorities did not give the permission even then.