Curbs on PTI rally: PHC seeks reply from KP govt by 29th

PESHAWAR: The Peshawar High Court (PHC) has sought a reply from the caretaker government for not allowing the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to hold a workers’ convention despite the court orders.

The PTI had filed a contempt of court petition in the PHC after it was denied the permission for the convention.

A two-member bench of the PHC consisting of Justice Ejaz Anwar and Justice Shakeel Ahmad heard the petition on Thursday and asked the caretaker government to submit the reply by November 29.

Justice Ejaz Anwar observed during the hearing that there is no problem for the deputy commissioner when other political parties arrange conventions but Section 144 is imposed when a specific party seeks permission for the same, which was a source of concern for the court.

He said elections were around the corner and other political parties were arranging public meetings but there were curbs on one political party, adding that all should have equal opportunities.

Ali Zaman Advocate appeared for the PTI. He submitted that the PTI had filed an application to the district administration for holding the party workers’ convention in Peshawar on Friday (today). But the deputy commissioner had imposed Section 144.

The counsel contended that all political parties were carrying out activities but only the PTI was being stopped from electioneering.

Representing the caretaker KP government, Advocate General Aamir Javed told the court that a meeting of the deputy commissioners and district police officers presided over by Additional Chief Secretary Home Abid Majeed had prepared standard operating procedures (SOPs) for party workers conventions and public meetings. He said all the political parties would have to submit an application and only then they would hold conventions as per the SOPs.

The PTI counsel said that the party had applied multiple times for the permission but they were not being allowed to hold the party convention. He pointed out that Jamaat-e-Islamic chief Sirajul Haq addressed a public meeting in the city the previous day.

Justice Ijaz Anwar observed that public meetings should be held but streets and roads should not be closed for that. He said that action would be taken against the DC if the official gave permission to any political party to hold a public meeting on the road.