IHC directs chief ministers to ensure govt resources are not used for PTI's Sept 27 Islamabad march

On Monday, the Islamabad High Court ruled that the chief ministers of all provincial governments must ensure that no government resources or official machinery were utilized in the upcoming long march and protest organized by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on September 27 in Islamabad. The PTI had announced a nationwide demonstration aimed at demanding the release of party founder Imran Khan and to rally people in support of the Constitution.

Waqas Ahmed, a citizen, challenged the planned protest, arguing that it could disrupt daily life, traffic, and business activities in the city. The court's ruling stated that neither a political party nor its leaders have the lawful authority to block public roads, highways, interchanges, toll plazas, or buildings in Islamabad that could impede access to educational institutions and medical facilities.

Provincial governments were instructed to prevent the use of government resources, officials, and vehicles for any protest, procession, or rally. The court emphasized that public servants should not be compelled to participate in any such activities, and any individual or public servant violating these instructions would be deemed to have infringed upon the Constitution.

The Islamabad administration, interior ministry, chief secretaries, and provincial police chiefs were directed to uphold citizens' constitutional rights and implement the court's directives.