Deadlock persists despite nod for PTI to hold protest on 22nd

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has been granted permission to hold a protest in Islamabad on August 22, and the district administration has informed the Islamabad High Court (IHC) of its decision in response to a request from the PTI.

Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb of the IHC remarked that there should be some standard operating procedures (SOPs), laws or rules for protests in the federal capital.

Justice Aurangzeb said it is not the court’s role to interfere in administrative matters concerning security. He said the nation has been suffering the consequences since Faizabad was blocked. He suggested imposing a complete ban on protests at D-Chowk.

Justice Aurangzeb was hearing a contempt of court petition filed by the PTI, which complained that they were not allowed to protest outside the Islamabad Press Club despite a court order. The government lawyer informed the court that the district administration had granted permission for the rally on August 22, after initially denying it for August 20.

The court said it would determine whether the contempt of court was justified and would issue an order accordingly. The judge questioned why there would be an issue if a political party wanted to hold a gathering.

He remarked that the ruling party would be granted permission on a silver platter if it sought it. He criticised the lack of rules and asked how many people died in ambulances during the previous Faizabad sit-in. The court asked the government lawyer whether permission was not given for a protest in F-9 Park, asserting that parks should not be used for protests.

The deadlock between the district administration and the Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf on the issue of allowing the party to hold a rally in Islamabad is continuing.

The advocate general told the IHC that the district administration had given permission to the party to hold a rally on August 22, to which Shoaib Shaheen, the advocate of the PTI, said that we did not agree with both the date and place given by them. The court directed the parties to sit together and settle the issues.

IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq heard the contempt of court petition for not allowing he PTI to hold a rally. The advocate general said the PTI had been given permission to hold a rally on August 22.

Lawyer Shoaib Shaheen said that PTI did not agree with their permission. He said the PTI also requested permission for a protest on August 5. He said separate permission be given for the protest and the rally.

He said there was also a protest at D-Chowk on Wednesday. The court inquired whether whatever was happening in Rawalpindi had been allowed. The deputy commissioner said that they had been given permission for it.

The court observed that everyone has the right to protest. The court adjourned the hearing by directing both the parties to sit together and resolve the matter.