IHC moved to stop PTI rally in F-9 Park

ISLAMABAD: A petitioner has moved the Islamabad High Court (IHC) against the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) foundation day public meeting on April 24 at F-9 Park, saying that this political gathering will destroy natural beauty of the park.

Petitioner Dr Waheed Mehmood Khan has cited secretary Ministry of Interior, chief commissioner Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT), inspector general (IG) Islamabad police, chairman Capital Development Authority, DG Environment Protection Agency and PTI through its chairman Imran Khan as respondents.

The petitioner through his counsel Yasir Mehmood Chaudhry advocate adopted that he was shocked to learn through media that Ministry of Interior and chief commissioner ICT will be allowing Imran Khan to hold a public meeting at F-9 Park Islamabad.

As an Islamabad citizen, petitioner has serious apprehensions that the large political gathering of PTI would destroy the natural beauty of the park that would not be possible to restore during this entire season.

The petitioner is directly aggrieved by the PTI announcement of a public meeting, as he is residing in Islamabad and a permanent visitor of the park to breathe fresh air in the morning and to enjoy company of his family and friends on weekends.

Islamabad residents have already suffered a lot during the last two-years from the affects of such political gatherings and protests when the green belts were given irreparable loss and still they need to be restored.

Superior courts in a number of judgements have observed that parks, playgrounds and other public places could only be utilised for the purposes originally meant for. Further these places have a prior right for all citizens across the country to breathe fresh air and to enjoy with family and friends. Such places may not be allowed for the public procession and public gatherings, the petitioner said.

Everybody has a right of expression but under its pretext no one should be allowed to jeopardise the rights of other citizens.The petitioner has prayed to the court to direct the respondents to re-locate the venue for the political gathering. PTI may be provided with an alternative place to observe their foundation day.