The Lahore High Court on Wednesday restrained the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and the Pakistan Awami Tehreek from ‘launching the Azadi March, Inqilab March or holding a dharna in Islamabad in any unconstitutional way’.
The bench said this order is issued ‘keeping in view the sanctity of Independence Day and the current chaotic and uncertain situation prevailing in the country’.
During the course of the hearing, the court gave time to Advocate Ahmed Awais, the counsel for PTI, to seek instructions from his client if he is ready to hold a sit-in at some stadium or some enclosed place. He was given two hours for this purpose. As the hearing resumed after two hours, Ahmed Awais said they are ready to hold a sit-in on the road from Zero Point to Kashmir Chowk.
Attorney General Salman Butt submitted that the suggested venue is very near to the Red Zone and Diplomatic Enclave. He said that if protesters are given a free hand there would be a chance of unrest. He said thousands of people can be managed inside the sports complex.
Justice Khalid agreed, saying citizens and road traffic would not be obstructed in this case.
Appearing on behalf of Tahirul Qadri, Advocate Akhtar Shah requested the court to give him time to seek instructions from his client.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 14th,2014.
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