PTI rallies legal minds against blockades

Advocate general says centre's actions violate Article 15

PESHAWAR:

The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government has decided to take legal action against the obstacles placed during Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's (PTI) protest in Rawalpindi.

For this purpose, consultations have begun with government lawyers, and a final decision will be made after discussions with the party leadership.

It has been argued that preventing the province's elected chief minister and the public from participating in the protest violates Article 15 of the Constitution. Separate cases may be filed for blocking roads and using teargas. FIRs could be registered in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab.

According to sources, the provincial government has decided to pursue legal action over the blocking of roads and teargassing of peaceful convoys from Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa heading to the protest. Consultations have been held with Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Advocate General Shah Faisal Utman Khail, and other legal experts to seek their opinions.

The advocate general reportedly advised that the use of teargas against peaceful protesters and stopping the chief minister, as well as the public, is a violation of Article 15 of the Constitution, and separate cases could be registered.

It was further mentioned that FIRs can be lodged in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab over human rights violations. Sources also indicated that the CM will consult the party leadership regarding the filing of cases against creating obstacles and difficulties for PTI workers. After these discussions, a final decision will be made, and further action will be taken.

It is worth recalling that on Saturday, September 28, a PTI held a rally in Rawalpindi. Convoys from Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, led by Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, provincial ministers, and assembly members, traveled to Rawalpindi. During the protest, Punjab police used teargas to disperse the demonstrators, and containers and other barriers were placed at various locations to block the roads.