{
  "id": 12550952,
  "title": "Peshawar High Court seeks govt response to plea of two PTI MNAs",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/07/peshawar-high-court-seeks-govt-response-to-plea-of-two-pti-mnas",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-07T05:12:37.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Dawn - Pakistan",
    "slug": "dawn-pakistan",
    "url": "https://www.dawn.com/news/2035245/peshawar-high-court-seeks-govt-response-to-plea-of-two-pti-mnas"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Peshawar High Court has ordered the federal and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa governments to respond to a petition filed by two PTI lawmakers seeking \"unhindered\" participation in the party's ongoing long march in their constituencies. The bench, comprising Justice Sahibzada Asadullah and Justice Farah Jamshed, heard preliminary arguments in the joint petition lodged by Sheharyar Afridi and Shandana Gulzar Khan, elected from Kohat and Peshawar, respectively.\n\nThe petitioners, represented by counsel Muazzam Butt, are seeking multiple reliefs under the Constitution's guarantee of fundamental rights, including the right to peacefully participate in and express views on the political march. They request the court to affirm that their actions will not be subject to adverse, coercive, or punitive measures solely due to their political affiliation or expression, as long as such actions are lawful and consistent with the Constitution and law.\n\nThe respondents in the case include the interior secretary, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa home secretary, and the inspector general of police (IGP). The petitioners argued that any restrictions on their movement, assembly, or association must be imposed by a competent authority with lawful authority and only for a constitutionally permissible purpose. They emphasized that they wish to ensure the protection of their life, liberty, dignity, and lawful movement, particularly in light of the political climate and fears for their safety.\n\nThe PTI's long march is currently underway, and the petitioners seek assurances that it will proceed peacefully without interference or coercion. The court was urged to direct the respondents to ensure comprehensive security arrangements for the petitioners, given the prevailing political tensions and the potential risks to their safety.\n\nThe additional attorney general challenged the petition's maintainability, suggesting that the Islamabad High Court's previous judgment negated any basis for the current long march. However, the petitioners argued that the urgency of the situation required immediate action, as they feared irreparable harm to their constitutional rights and ability to fulfill their representative duties. The court acknowledged their apprehensions but noted that a decision could not be made without first hearing from the respondents.",
  "summary": "PESHAWAR: The Peshawar High Court on Tuesday issued notices to officials of the federal and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa governments, seeking their response to a petition filed by two PTI lawmakers for “unhindered” participation in their party’s ongoing long march in their respective constituencies. A bench consisting of Justice Sahibzada Asadullah and Justice Farah Jamshed issued the order after holding a…",
  "key_points": [
    "Peshawar High Court orders federal, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa governments to respond to PTI MNA petition.",
    "Sheharyar Afridi and Shandana Gulzar Khan seek unhindered participation in PTI's long march.",
    "Court to ensure security for petitioners amid political tensions."
  ],
  "editors_take": "The court's order for the government to respond to the PTI MNAs' plea signals a potential judicial intervention to safeguard their constitutional rights and ensure their participation in the party's long march.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Dawn - Pakistan",
        "title": "Islamabad High Court seeks whereabouts of over 50 Pakistanis who went missing abroad",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/07/islamabad-high-court-seeks-whereabouts-of-over-50-pakistanis-who-went",
        "published": "2026-10-07T04:56:13.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Daily Times",
        "title": "Rimsha gets major relief from Lahore High Court",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/07/rimsha-gets-major-relief-from-lahore-high-court",
        "published": "2026-10-07T07:20:23.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}