IHC moved against PTI's planned protest

ISLAMABAD:

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has summoned Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi today in response to a petition seeking to prevent Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's (PTI) protest scheduled for November 24 in the federal capital.

IHC Chief Justice Ameer Farooq heard the petition and summoned the Secretary of the Interior, the Chief Commissioner, and the Inspector General (IG) of Islamabad.

The court directed that the case be heard immediately after the division bench.

The petition, filed by Asad Aziz, President of the Jinnah Super Traders Association, through Advocate Rizwan Abbasi, called for action to prevent PTI’s "illegal" protest, which is being organized under the leadership of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister.

The petition argues that the planned protest is giving the impression of an armed incursion into Islamabad.

It points out that recent legislation regarding protests in Islamabad requires prior permission, and holding an unauthorized protest creates a perception of lawlessness in the country.

The petition requests that orders be issued to the Interior Secretary, Chief Commissioner Islamabad, and the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to stop the protest. PTI Chairman Imran Khan is also named as a respondent in the petition.

PTI has called for a protest in Islamabad on November 24, and the petition is part of efforts to prevent it from taking place.

In a bid to keep a tight leash on the PTI November 24 "final push", federal government on November 20 called in the big guns, granting special powers to both Pakistan Rangers and Frontier Constabulary personnel in Islamabad.

A notification from the interior ministry greenlighted the deployment of a "sufficient strength" of Pakistan Rangers (Punjab and Sindh) and FC troops in Islamabad from Friday onward, under Sections 4 and 5 of the Anti-Terrorism Act.

It further stated that the exact number of personnel, as well as the date and area of their deployment, would be "worked out in consultation with concerned stakeholders."

Bracing for a high-stakes showdown, Islamabad Police officially called for reinforcements from Punjab and Sindh police.

According to sources, as part of the arrangements, two DIGs and ten DPOs from the Punjab Police will be deployed in Islamabad, accompanied by 500 personnel each. In addition, 4,000 Rangers and 5,000 FC personnel will assist in maintaining law and order.

The Rangers, equipped with anti-riot kits, will play a key role in crowd control.