IHC ‘deals blow’ to PTI protest call and bans any weekend protests in capital

• The court order said it would be “advisable” for the government to form a committee headed by Naqvi to interact with the PTI leadership
• The President of Belarus will arrive on November 24, and his protection is of paramount importance: the trial
• Directed state respondents to file a report before the next hearing on November 27.

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court on Thursday ruled that no protests or rallies violating a recently enacted law regulating public gatherings in the capital will be allowed over the weekend amid the Belarusian president’s visit, dealing a blow to PTI’s call for a “do or die” protest. in the capital on November 24 (Sunday).

Jailed PTI founder Imran Khan made his “final call” to Sunday’s protest last week, condemning what he called a stolen mandate, unjust arrests of people and the passage of the 26th Amendment to the Constitution, which he said had entrenched a “dictatorial mode”.

Islamabad High Court Chief Justice Aamer Farooq presided over the hearing of a petition filed by the Islamabad Traders Association seeking to declare the PTI protest call illegal and issue directions to the respondents – the federal government, the Islamabad Chief Commissioner, the Islamabad District Magistrate and the Islamabad Police. keep the party from holding a protest.

The court order said the recently enacted Peaceful Assembly and Public Order Act 2024 stipulates that if anyone wishes to hold a meeting in Islamabad, he must submit a written application to the District Magistrate at least seven days before the proposed event.

“The said application will be considered and an appropriate order will be given regarding permission to hold the meeting,” the order added.

However, it noted that the court was informed that no such application had been received so far.

“The court was also informed that the President of Belarus and his delegation of over 60 people are arriving on November 24 and their protection and freedom of movement is of paramount importance and is directly related to relations with another country, hence the wider public interest is affected. “

The order said the court was also informed that while there was some communication with the PTI leadership, “no formal undertaking as such was entered into.”

He added that the PTI has the right to freedom of movement and assembly under the Peaceful Assembly and Public Order Act 2024 and therefore it would be “appropriate” for the federal government to set up a committee, preferably headed by Home Minister Mohsin Naqvi, to interact with PTI management and briefed them on the “sensitivity over the weekend due to the relocation of a foreign president.”

The court directed that the committee should also include the Chief Commissioner Islamabad and any other person deemed fit by the Home Minister.

“The court is confident that once such a formal agreement is concluded, some development will occur. If there is no breakthrough, then ensuring law and order is the responsibility of respondents Nos. 1 to 4, and there should be no minimum disruption to the lives of ordinary citizens and no violations of the 2024 Law should be committed.

“Since the law on this matter is clear as daylight, respondent Nos. 1 to 4 must do whatever is necessary to ensure maintenance and law and order in ICT, Islamabad. In this regard, respondents Nos. 1 to 4 are not allowed to hold protests, rallies or sit-ins in violation of the 2024 Act,” the order said.

It concluded that it was expected that the PTI management would take into account the factors raised by Naqvi during the hearings and engage constructively with the committee.

The court ordered the government defendants to file a report before the next hearing on November 27.

Speaking to the media outside the court, Naqvi said there would be no talks with PTI as long as it continues to “issue threats”.

“Negotiations are not done through threats,” he said. “Personally, I am for negotiations with any side. However, threatening us and then asking us to sit down at the negotiating table is unacceptable.”

When asked if there was a deadline for negotiations, the minister replied: “For there to be a deadline, negotiations are needed. Since there are no negotiations, there is no deadline.”

A troublemaker should be dealt with strictly: Tarar

Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said in a statement published by state broadcaster PTV on its X account that those who took the law into their own hands would be dealt with strictly.

He said that the Chief Secretary of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had banned government employees from participating in political rallies and the IHC had clearly stated that the safety of lives and property of the people should be ensured.

“Whenever a high-level delegation or head of state from abroad comes to Pakistan, PTI calls for protests. PTI has never protested peacefully. PTI is following an anti-national agenda.

“When the country’s economy is moving in the right direction, what is the point of protesting at a time like this?” – Tarar asked.

Meanwhile, Tarar said statements that Imran would postpone the November 24 protest if he was released were an admission of his “frustration and panic.”

According to him, it has been proven that the “call for chaos” on November 24 was aimed at achieving an agreement.

Tarar noticed that the man who had once vowed never to make a deal was now constantly demanding it and was determined to wage war against the federation.

“The only deal you’ll get is a deal with the law you broke.”

Bushra Bibi posted a video with Imran’s message

Meanwhile, former First Lady and Imran’s wife Bushra Bibi today released a video message conveying her husband’s message.

“Today I came to you to convey a message from Khan. Khan appealed to the entire nation to join the protest on November 24,” she said, adding that it was not just a rally for the sake of Imran, but also for the sake of the country and real freedom.

“Imran appealed to the judges and lawyers: “I am in jail for the rule of law, so it is your responsibility to be part of this protest and lead every lawyer movement from all parts of Pakistan in your lawyer uniform and reach Islamabad on November 24.” .'”

She said there had been a lot of speculation about changing the November 24 date or negotiations with Imran, but ruled them all out.

“There is nothing like it. The date can be changed only on one condition that Imran comes out and himself tells the nation about the next plan of action. Additionally, the date of November 24th cannot be changed at any cost. So if you receive any wrong message, you don’t have to believe it because Khan has sent a special message that the date of November 24 will never be canceled until Khan himself comes and addresses the nation.”