{
  "id": 6585043,
  "title": "'Is judiciary so weak that you wish to strengthen it?' IHC CJ asks as KP counsel justifies PTI’s Sept 27 march",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/10/is-judiciary-so-weak-that-you-wish-to-strengthen-it-ihc-cj-asks-as-kp",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-10T12:12:33.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Dawn - Pakistan",
    "slug": "dawn-pakistan",
    "url": "https://www.dawn.com/news/2028870/is-judiciary-so-weak-that-you-wish-to-strengthen-it-ihc-cj-asks-as-kp-counsel-justifies-ptis-sept-27-march"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Islamabad High Court Chief Justice Sardar Muhammad Sarfraz Dogar questioned Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Advocate General Shah Faisal Utmankhel on Thursday regarding claims that the PTI's September 27 protest aligns with the judiciary. The PTI plans a nationwide demonstration to advocate for Imran Khan's release and emphasize constitutional supremacy. A citizen, Waqas Ahmed, challenged the protest in the IHC, citing potential disruption to daily life and business in the capital. The court decided to form a larger bench to address the sensitive issue. During the hearing, Utmankhel argued that the PTI's protest was also meant to support the judiciary. Chief Justice Dogar sarcastically thanked Utmankhel for his intention to strengthen the judiciary, then questioned whether the judiciary required the backing of a political party. Attorney General for Pakistan Mansoor Usman Awan asserted that government resources should not be utilized for political protests, emphasizing that no government official should comply with an order against the Constitution or law. However, he acknowledged that an order from the chief executive of a province, like KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi who is a PTI member, would be binding. Awan pointed out that state resources cannot be employed for political activities, even if a peaceful protest ensues. He cited the 2024 order where the then-KP chief minister led the demonstration, leading to clashes between security forces and protesters, resulting in the PTI leadership's hasty exit. The court then summoned the KP AG to explain the provincial government's stance, who expressed not being aware of the petition's content and objected to the petition's urgency. The KP AG argued that historical court orders were not always followed and questioned the premise of the petition, referring to repeated contempt petitions filed after previous IHC directives. He requested two days to prepare arguments, which was declined, and he was instructed to commence his submissions at the next hearing. When the chief justice mentioned media coverage of the court's previous order, the KP AG stated that his responsibilities did not allow him to watch television. The petitioner's counsel also objected to Utmankhel's appearance, questioning if he represented a convicted individual. The court directed the KP AG to present a record of actions taken against those who violated court orders at the next hearing. The bench also summoned the inspector generals and chief secretaries of all four provinces, along with other relevant officials, for the subsequent session, instructing them to appear on September 11 (Friday).",
  "summary": "ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) Sardar Muhammad Sarfraz Dogar on Thursday admonished Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Advocate General Shah Faisal Utmankhel after he described PTI’s September 27 protest call as a move in support of the judiciary. The PTI has announced a nationwide protest on Sept 27 to demand the release of party founder Imran Khan and mobilise people for the…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Dawn",
        "title": "'Is judiciary so weak that you wish to strengthen it?' IHC CJ asks as KP counsel justifies PTI’s Sept 27 march",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/10/is-judiciary-so-weak-that-you-wish-to-strengthen-it-ihc-cj-asks-as-kp-6585727",
        "published": "2026-09-10T12:34:42.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}