Protest in Red Zone: Court seeks reply from city administration

Directs administration to submit expenses on management of the crowd; ensure government employees’ access to offices.

ISLAMABAD:

Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday sought reply from the capital administration for allowing Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) marchers to hold sit-ins at Constitution Avenue.

While hearing a petition filed by Ajmal Baloch, president Aabpara Traders Association, Justice Athar Minallah directed the city administration to intimate the court about the additional expenses that the district administration has been making for the management of the crowd.

The court also appointed a panel of lawyers comprising Babar Sattar, Saad Rasool and Ijaz Sandhu to assist the bench to decide whether the right of protest is an absolute right.

The petitioner has prayed the court to stop the Azadi and Inqilab marches as it has been creating great hurdles for the smooth running of business and thus encroaching upon fundamental rights of the citizens.

The court also directed the administration to make it possible for the litigants, general public and employees of the Supreme Court of Pakistan and parliament house to reach their offices.

Justice Minallah directed that the police personnel residing in the schools and colleges may be provided with an alternative accommodation.

The judge observed that due to gathering of the protesters, epidemics may spread in the city. Additional Deputy Commissioner Maryam Khan informed the court that due to the protesters, employees, general public and litigants have been facing hardships in arriving Supreme Court and parliament house.

The court inquired if there is any permission for protesting in front of the Parliament House that may be produced before the court.

In the last hearing, the court had directed the acting chief commissioner Mujahid Sherdil to meet the PTI and PAT chiefs and discuss with them the situation for the protection of fundamental rights of the citizens.

During last hearing, the same bench had observed that because of the sit-ins and security measures including sealing of ‘Red Zone’ have made the life of common man difficult. It observed that the protests have been affecting the fundamental rights including right of traders, right of movement, education, protection to life and property and travelling abroad.

Court adjourned the hearing till next week.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 26^th, 2014.