Reply sought on plea against JUI-F’s Plan-B

LAHORE:The Lahore High Court on Monday directed the federal government to submit reply on a petition challenging the “Plan-B” for protest demonstrations in major cities by Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F). Representing the petitioner, Advocate Nadeem Sarwar contended before the court that the JUI-F Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman after ending the Islamabad sit-in/Azadi March announced “Plan B” and expanded their protest activities across Pakistan.

He said the party blocked main thoroughfares in all provinces causing serious trouble to the public at large. He argued that the act of the respondent party was a clear violation of Article 15 of the Constitution that guaranteed right of free movement.

The counsel said the blocking of public roads were also an offence punishable under Section 141 and 339 of Pakistan Penal Code. The JUI-F leaders were equally liable for punishment abetting and instigating the commission of an offence, he added. He argued that the respondent put the country under serious threat and created a law and order just for the sake of political gains.