ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has directed the federal government to restore normalcy in the city. It also ordered to provide a designated space for Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) to hold its protest.
The order came in response to a petition filed by traders, who complained that daily life in the capital had come to a standstill. Mobile phone services were suspended, and roads were blocked. The traders argued that the disruptions were severely affecting businesses and movement in the city.
During the hearing on Saturday, IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq also expressed concern over the situation. He remarked that he himself had to “pass through containers” to reach the court. He then summoned the interior secretary to explain why the city was on lockdown.
The interior secretary informed the court that the Malaysian prime minister was currently visiting Islamabad and a Saudi delegation was expected in a few days. As a result, security measures had been heightened, including blocking certain roads.
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The court was further told that PTI workers had “made inroads” and were marching towards the Red Zone to hold a protest at D-Chowk. This information was included in a three-page court order issued after the hearing. The federal government had also called in the army to ensure law and order in the capital, with Section 144 imposed to ban all public gatherings.
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Chief Justice Aamer Farooq was critical of the government’s approach, stating that no one had the right to block roads. He emphasized that it was the government’s responsibility to manage protests while ensuring that the city remained functional. “You should provide them a suitable place to protest,” he advised the interior secretary.
The chief justice further noted that the city’s condition resembled a curfew. He urged the authorities to take immediate action to bring life back to normal. “It seems like a curfew is in place in the city, and you must take steps to bring things back to normal. It is your responsibility to ensure that Islamabad remains a peaceful city,” he added.
The IHC chief justice also raised concerns about the impression the locked-down city would leave on visiting foreign delegations. The high-profile visitors included the Malaysian prime minister and an incoming Saudi delegation.
Justice Farooq made it clear that while the right to protest must be respected, it should not come at the expense of the city’s peace and order. He instructed the federal government and local administration to immediately designate a suitable location for PTI’s protest, ensuring that it does not disrupt the rest of the city.
In conclusion, the court’s orders aimed to balance the right to protest with the need for public order. The government was asked to act swiftly in both restoring normalcy and addressing the demands of PTI protesters by giving them an appropriate place for their demonstration.
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