Plea against PTI rally dismissed

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Thursday dismissed a petition against PTI for its plan to hold a public meeting at Greater Iqbal Park (Minar-i-Pakistan) despite permission denied by the district government.

Dismissing the petition for being not maintainable, Justice Shahid Karim observed that allowing or disallowing public meetings was not the job of courts but the government. Advocate Zohaib Imran had filed the petition pleading that the Greater Iqbal Park had been declared a national heritage and its preservation was mandatory under the law.

He pointed out that the district government turned down the request by the PTI to hold its meeting on April 29 at the park. However, he said, the political party announced holding its meeting at the park at any cost.

The petitioner said the beautification of the Iqbal Park would be ruined, if the PTI was not restrained from holding its meeting. He urged the court to transfer the Sunday’s meeting of the PTI to Qaddafi Stadium or Nasser Bagh.

notice: The Lahore High Court on Thursday issued a notice to Lahore deputy commissioner on a petition by PTI leader Dr Yasmin Rashid challenging release of development funds during the last year by-election in NA-120. Ms Rashid’s counsel stated before the court that the government violated election laws and released development funds in order to secure victory for Kulsoom Nawaz.

He said the court had directed the local government to provide the petitioner details of the funds. However, he said, the order had not been complied with so far. He said the deputy commissioner committed contempt of court by not obeying the order. A government law officer told the court that no development funds were released during the by-election. Justice Shams Mahmood Mirza, however, issued the notice to deputy commissioner Sumair Ahmad with direction to submit his reply to the petition by next hearing.