IHC forms larger bench to hear plea against PTI’s Sept 27 protest

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) recently decided to form a larger bench to hear a petition against the planned protest by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on September 27. The IHC deemed the matter sensitive and suggested it could have constitutional implications. Notices were issued to police chiefs from all four provinces and other officials, requesting their presence at the next hearing scheduled for September 10.

The PTI has announced a nationwide protest to demand the release of party founder Imran Khan and to mobilize people for the supremacy of the Constitution. Citizen Waqas Ahmed challenged the planned protest in the IHC, arguing that it could disrupt daily life, traffic, and business activities in Islamabad. The petitioner's lawyer, Akhtar Chheena, informed the court that the protester was a trader in Islamabad, directly affected by the planned demonstration.

The lawyer read newspaper clippings containing statements from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, who planned to lead the demonstration in Islamabad, potentially disrupting businesses and normal life in the capital. The lawyer raised concerns about the possibility of an attack on Rawalpindi's Adiala jail and questioned whether protesters would use government machinery during the protest.

The IHC CJ, Sardar Muhammad Sarfaraz Dogar, deemed the matter sensitive and constitutional in nature, subsequently forming a larger bench to hear the petition. The court requested responses from various officials, including the attorney general for Pakistan, chief secretaries, and IGs of all four provinces, Islamabad's chief commissioner, deputy commissioner, and IG.