ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court announced its reserved verdict today saying the roads cannot be blocked for the protest or long march. IHC said that neither politicians nor the government office holders can block roads for the long march or protest in Islamabad.
In its decision, the court said that the state machinery will not be used in the long march while government employees will not be influenced to participate in the protest.
Earlier, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) reserved its decision about the PTI’s September 27 long march and protest in Islamabad.
A three-member larger bench heard the petition challenging the PTI’s long march. Chief Justice headed the bench while Justices Muhammad Azam Khan and Asif also joined the bench.
Islamabad Advocate General Naveed Hayat Malik, Acting Prosecutor General Manzoor Jajja, KP Inspector General Zulfiqar Hamid and Chief Secretary Shahab Ali Shah appeared before the court. The chief secretary and police chief also submitted affidavits during the proceedings.
Arguments over planned protest
The advocate general argued that the protest had two objectives: securing PTI founder Imran Khan’s release and removing the federal government.
He said authorities had no evidence confirming that the planned rally would remain peaceful. Malik argued that an opposition party dissatisfied with the prime minister should approach Parliament and seek a vote of no confidence.
Meanwhile, PTI leaders have described the march as peaceful and claimed it would strengthen the judiciary. The advocate general sought permission to present statements by PTI leaders, including a remark referring to a choice between freedom and martyrdom.
Court reviews November 2024 protest
Malik also requested permission to play videos of the PTI’s November 2024 protest before the bench. Initially, Chief Justice Dogar said the IHC did not traditionally play videos during hearings. The advocate general responded that the Supreme Court had also used videos during proceedings. The chief justice maintained that the IHC would not establish a practice of regularly playing videos in court.
However, after a brief break, the bench allowed the advocate general to present the November 2024 protest videos. The court later concluded the hearing and reserved its decision on the petition challenging the PTI’s September 27 protest and long march.
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