IHC ‘busts deal’ over PTI protest call and bans all protests taking place over the weekend in the capital

• The court ruling said it would be “appropriate” for the government to form a commission headed by Naqvi and engage with the PTI leadership
• The President of Belarus will arrive on November 24 and his protection is of the utmost importance: the Court
• He instructed state respondents to file their report before the next hearing on November 27

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court ruled on Thursday that no protests or rallies in violation of a recent law regulating public gatherings in the capital will be allowed over the weekend in connection with the Belarusian president’s visit, undermining PTI’s call for a “do or die” protest. ” in the capital on November 24 (Sunday).

Jailed PTI founder Imran Khan issued a “final call” for Sunday’s protest last week, condemning what he described as the stolen mandate, unjust arrests of people and the adoption of the 26th Constitutional Amendment, which he said strengthened a “dictatorial regime.”

Islamabad High Court Chief Justice Aamer Farooq presided over the hearing of a petition filed by Islamabad Traders’ Association seeking to declare PTI’s protest call illegal and direct the respondents – Federal Government, Islamabad Chief Commissioner, Islamabad District Judge and Islamabad Police to restrain the party from organizing the protest .

According to the court’s order, the recently enacted Peaceful Assembly and Public Order Act, 2024 states that if anyone wants to organize a gathering in Islamabad, he or she must submit a written application to the District Magistrate no later than seven days before the planned event.

“The submitted application is subject to consideration and the issuance of an appropriate order regarding the permit for the assembly,” the order added.

However, she stated that the court had been informed that no such application had been submitted to date.

“This court was also informed that the President of Belarus will arrive on November 24 with his delegation of over 60 people, and their protection and freedom of movement is of the utmost importance and is directly related to relations with another country, so there is a greater public interest at stake.” “

The order said the court was also informed that although contact was made with the PTI leadership, “no formal action was taken.”

She added that PTI has the right to freedom of movement and assembly under the Peaceful Assembly and Public Order Act 2024 and therefore it would be “appropriate” for the federal government to form a committee, preferably under the chairmanship of Home Minister Mohsin Naqvi, who would cooperate with the PTI leadership and inform them about the “weekend sensitivity in connection with the movement of the president of a foreign country.”

The court ordered that the commission should also include the chief commissioner of Islamabad and any other person the home minister deems fit.

“The court is optimistic that there will be some development once such formal engagement takes place. In the absence of a breakthrough, respondents No. 1 to 4 are responsible for ensuring law and order, without minimal disruption to the lives of ordinary citizens and without violating the Act, the year 2024 will be committed.

“Since the law in this matter is clear as day, respondents Nos. 1 to 4 will do necessary things to ensure the maintenance and law and order in ICT in Islamabad. Therefore, respondents Nos. 1 to 4 cannot protest, rally or in this case sit-in in violation of the 2024 Act.” – the decision ruled.

It said the PTI leadership was expected to take into account the factors presented by Naqvi during the hearing and engage in constructive communication with the commission.

The court ordered state respondents to submit a report before the next hearing on November 27.

Speaking to the media outside the court, Naqvi said there would be no negotiations with PTI as long as it continued to “issue threats”.

“Negotiations are not conducted through threats,” he said. “Personally, I am in favor of talks with any party. But threatening us and then asking us to come to the table is unacceptable.”

When asked whether there is a deadline for negotiations, the minister replied: “There must be negotiations for there to be a deadline. Because there is no negotiation, there is no deadline.”

A trouble maker who should be dealt with harshly: Tarar

Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said in a statement issued by state broadcaster PTV on his X account that those who took the law into their own hands would be dealt with harshly.

He said the Chief Secretary of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had banned government employees from participating in political rallies and the IHC had clearly stated that security of people’s lives and property must be ensured.

“Whenever a high-level delegation or a foreign head of state comes to Pakistan, PTI calls for protests. PTI has a history of never protesting peacefully. PTI is implementing an anti-national agenda.

“When the country’s economy is heading in the right direction, what is the purpose of protesting at a time like this?” – Tarar asked.

Meanwhile, Tarar said that statements about Imran postponing his November 24 protest if he were fired were an admission of his “frustration and panic.”

He said it had been proven that the November 24 “call for chaos” was intended to secure agreement.

Tarar noted that a person who once vowed never to engage in an accord now continually demands one and is bent on waging war against the federation.

“The only contract you will get is with the law you broke.”

Bushra Bibi releases a video with Imran’s message

Meanwhile, former first lady and Imran’s wife Bushra Bibi today released a video address conveying a message from her husband.

“I have come before you today to convey a message from Khan. Khan appealed to the entire nation to join the protest on November 24,” she said, adding that it was not just a rally in the name of Imran, but in the name of the country and true freedom.

“Imran appealed to the judges and lawyers that: ‘I am sitting in jail because of the rule of law, so it is your duty to become a part of this protest and lead every legal movement from every area of ​​Pakistan in your lawyer uniform and reach Islamabad on November 24.'”

She said there were many speculations about changing the November 24 date or negotiations with Imran, but she ruled them all out.

“There is no such thing. The date can only be changed if Imran comes out and informs the nation himself about the next plan of action. Moreover, the date of November 24 cannot be changed at any cost. So if you get any wrong news, you don’t have to believe it because Khan has sent a special message that November 24 will never be canceled until Khan himself comes and addresses the nation.”