The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has reserved its decision in a case challenging PTI’s proposed September 27 protest and long march.
The hearing was conducted by a bench headed by Chief Justice Sarfraz Dogar. Islamabad Advocate General Naveed Hayat Malik presented arguments before the court.
Acting Prosecutor General Manzoor Jajja also appeared during the proceedings. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Inspector General of Police Zulfiqar Hamid attended the hearing.
KP Chief Secretary Shahab Ali Shah was also present before the bench. Both the chief secretary and police chief submitted affidavits to the court.
The case concerns a protest and long march proposed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). The planned activity has raised questions about security and public order.
The Islamabad Advocate General argued that the protest had two main objectives. He said one objective was the release of PTI founder Imran Khan.
He claimed the second objective was the removal of the government. Malik also argued that there was no evidence confirming the rally would remain peaceful.
The government’s representative questioned the expected conduct of protesters. He also said political disagreements with the prime minister should be addressed through parliament.
According to the advocate general, an opposition party could seek a vote of no confidence. He presented this as the constitutional route for challenging the government.
During the hearing, PTI leaders’ statements were also discussed. The advocate general said party leaders had described the planned long march as peaceful.
He added that PTI leaders claimed the protest would strengthen the judiciary. Malik then requested permission to present statements made by party leaders.
He referred to one statement suggesting a choice between freedom and martyrdom. The advocate general also requested permission to play videos.
The proposed videos related to PTI’s November 2024 protest. Chief Justice Sarfraz Dogar initially questioned the practice of showing videos in court.
The chief justice said playing videos was not a tradition of the Islamabad High Court. Malik responded that videos had previously been shown before the Supreme Court.
The chief justice maintained that the practice would not automatically be adopted by the IHC. He said the bench did not want to establish a regular tradition of playing videos.
The court said it wanted to examine the advocate general’s miscellaneous application. Proceedings were then paused for a short break.
After the break, the chief justice allowed the videos from the November 2024 protest to be played in court.
The videos were subsequently presented during the proceedings. The court then moved toward concluding arguments in the matter.
Following the hearing, the IHC reserved its verdict in the case. The decision will address the legal challenge surrounding the proposed September 27 protest.
The reserves verdict marks the latest development in the case involving PTI’s planned political activity. The court will announce its decision at a later stage.
The proceedings also highlighted competing arguments over political rights, public safety and constitutional procedures.
The government has questioned whether the proposed protest could remain peaceful. PTI leaders, meanwhile, have described the planned long march as peaceful.
The court’s eventual reserves verdict will determine the next legal development in the matter. Until then, no final ruling has been issued on the petition.
In other news read more about: PTI Protests to Persist Until Imran Khan’s Release and Case Dismissals: Barrister Saif
