IHC dismisses petition against Qadri's million-man march

Petition had termed march unconstitutional since Qadri is not a Pakistani national.

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday dismissed a petition filed for stopping Minhajul Quran Interntaional (MQI) chief Tahiul Qadri’s million-man march, Express News reported.

The petitioner’s stance was that since Qadri holds Canadian nationality, constitutionally, he was not allowed to hold a long march, protest or rally.

The court rejected the plea and dismissed the case.

This is one of many petitions being lodged against the upcoming million-man march on January 14 which Qadri announced in his speech at Minar-e-Pakistan in Lahore.

Petitioners in other courts, including the Lahore High Court (LHC) and the Supreme Court, have maintained similar stances.

The petition filed in the SC maintained that if Qadri has any reservations regarding the current democratic system, then he should take up constitutional methods to protest against it.

A petition was filed in the Lahore registry of the Supreme Court, asking the court to stop Qadri and Muttahida Qaumi Movement chief Altaf Hussain from political activities in Pakistan because they are both “foreign nationals and unable to become members of parliament”.

The one filed in the LHC prayed to the court give orders against the long march and initiate proceedings against Qadri as the march was against the state and was a conspiracy to abrogate the Constitution.