ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court today ordered the Islamabad chief commissioner to provide an alternate site to the PTI to hold its Azadi March by 2:30pm and create a traffic plan for protesters so they could reach it.
A three-member bench headed by Justice Ahsan, and comprising Justice Munib Akhtar and Justice Sayyed Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi, issued the directives while hearing the petition filed by Islamabad High Court Bar Association (IHCBA) President Mohammad Shoaib Shaheen, seeking the removal of blockades in the capital ahead of the PTI’s march.
“Let them protest and then go home,” Justice Ahsan said. “We expect the government to remove barricades.” The court directed the interior secretary and police to review their policies on road closures.
Justice Ahsan said the court would also seek assurances from the PTI that the protest would be peaceful, property would not be damaged and there would be no torture or violence.
Earlier today, the court directed the interior secretary, Islamabad’s chief commissioner, deputy commissioner, inspector general of police and advocate general to appear in the court at 12pm. The apex court issued notices to provincial governments as well.
When the hearing resumed after 12pm, Justice Ahsan said the officials, along with the attorney general, should find a solution.
He also directed PTI’s lawyer Faisal Chaudhry to “sit at the negotiating table” with the administration officials and gave him time till 2:30pm to get instructions from the party leadership in this regard.
The court also directed authorities to provide complete protection to PTI leaders for the negotiations.
“If the PTI fears arrests, it should provide us with a list. We will protect those who fear arrests,” Justice Ahsan said.
He added said political parties had their own interests but they were secondary to the country and the people.
Meanwhile, Attorney General Ashtar Ausaf informed the Supreme Court that the government did not allow the PTI to hold its Azadi March on Islamabad’s Srinagar Highway because there was a “threat” to party chairman Imran Khan’s life according to reports from security agencies.
“The permission to gather at Srinagar Highway was denied due to the security situation. Imran Khan’s life is in danger as per reports of security agencies. Security agencies have raised fears of a suicide attack on the former prime minister.”
