ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court has refused to issue a blanket order on a petition filed by the PTI against the government’s attempts to prevent the party’s long march.
On Tuesday, the IHC heard the petition against the ongoing countrywide crackdown and detentions of its activists ahead of its Azadi March. The court remarked that the court cannot issue an order on the basis of mere concerns or fear.
During the hearing, IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah remarked, “Peaceful protest is a fundamental right but you are well aware of the situation, this court cannot take responsibility for any incident.”
“Even in the law and order situation, rules laid down by the SC should be followed,”he added. The judge said the court cannot give a general order the party can decide the place from the district administration.
PTI’s counsel Barrister Ali Zafar apprised the court that the government has launched a crackdown against the party since they filed the petition in the court. He argued the case is a classic example of violation of fundamental rights.
PTI has filed a petition seeking the court’s intervention to restrain the government from taking action against the participants of its long march.
The appeal filed by PTI Secretary General Asad Umar requested the court to restrain the administration and the police from blocking roads and arresting the party workers. He submitted that the Constitution of Pakistan guarantees citizens the right to record a protest.
The IHC heard the case after raids at the residences of the PTI leaders in multiple cities including Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad. The party said hundreds of its workers have been detained across the country.
READ MORE: Police raids homes of PTI leaders across Punjab
Police crackdown
The government launched a crackdown late on Monday night on Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) leaders and workers as the party prepares for a long march to Islamabad.
Punjab Police late on Monday raided the houses of several PTI leaders, including former energy minister Hammad Azhar, Usman Dar, and Babar Awan. According to reports, around 73 workers have been arrested.
There were also reports that the Lal Haveli residence of Sheikh Rashid Ahmed in Rawalpindi as well as the homes of Fayyazul Hasan Chohan and Ijaz Khan Jazi were also raided.
PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry warned the government against using force to stop the long march. He claimed that his home in Islamabad was under observation and he had left for Jhelum.
Police raided Hammad Azhar’s house in Lahore, however, he was not present, Hammad Azhar tweeted just before midnight that police had raided his house to arrest him but he managed to evade capture.
Lahore Police also raided the residence of PTI’s former information secretary, Farrukh Javed, but he escaped via his home’s back door. I n Lahore’s Jauhar Town, PTI MPA Sadia Sohail said her house had also been raided.
The house of PTI leader in Lahore Meher Naeemullah Taj was also raided. He alleged that police misbehaved with his family members and manhandled his employees.
Police raided the residences of PTI leaders Malik Ishtiaq and Yasir Gillani, but they were also not present. In Sialkot, the house of Firdous Ashiq Awan, ex-provincial minister Chaudhry Ikhlaq, and Usman Dar.
