LHC reserves judgment on plea against Section 144

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court has reserved judgment on a petition filed against the imposition of Section 144 in Punjab.

The court took up the petition filed by citizen Shabbir Ismail on Tuesday, challenging the imposition of Section 144 in Punjab.

The court had already issued notices to the Punjab government and the election commission.

The petitioner argued that since elections are forthcoming, Section 144 cannot be justified. There is no necessity to invoke Section 144 regarding the possession of arms as it constitutes a separate offence.

The petition further stated that if Section 144 were to be imposed, the EC would have applied itself. The petitioner sought the annulment of Section 144 by the Punjab government.

The state counsel mentioned that they wrote to the secretary establishment on January 27 regarding the notification of Section 144. They presented a decision of the Indian Supreme Court that clarifies under what circumstances Section 144 could be imposed. They argued that they were complying with those conditions. They questioned whether permission should be granted for exhibition of arms and whether powers should not remain with deputy commissioners. Later, the court reserved its judgment following the completion of arguments.