The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has ordered the Ministry of Interior to provide a comprehensive report on a contempt of court plea over the closure of business activities during the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) protest held on November 24.
Chief Justice Aamir Farooq, presiding over the case, expressed displeasure with the administration for shutting down the city instead of maintaining law and order.
"You were supposed to restore order, but instead, you closed down the entire city," the Chief Justice remarked during the hearing.
He observed that while protestors have rights, so do citizens and businesspeople.
The court warned that it would summon PTI leaders to explain why court orders were disregarded. During the proceedings, DSP Legal Sajid Cheema and State Counsel Malik Abdul Rahman appeared alongside other officials.
Rahman acknowledged that some reports had been submitted but admitted that others were still pending.
Criticising the administration, Justice Farooq questioned whether officials had come to court merely to offer "expert opinions," adding, "You locked down Islamabad so thoroughly that even I and other judges couldn't reach the court."
The petitioner lamented that their business had been unfairly disrupted, noting that officials had cited IHC orders as justification in the media.
The court underscored the need to balance fundamental rights, stating that both protestors and citizens deserved protection.
"If PTI violated orders, the government also mishandled the situation. What was the fault of the common citizens and the traders caught in this political tussle?" the IHC chief justice asked.
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