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IHC forms larger bench to hear plea against PTI’s Sept 27 protest

Animated editorial illustration for: IHC forms larger bench to hear plea against PTI’s Sept 27 protest
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At a glance

  • The IHC has formed a larger bench to hear a citizen's petition against PTI's planned protest on September 27.
  • The petitioner, a trader, fears business disruption, while his lawyer argued against using protests to pressure the judiciary.
  • Provincial police chiefs and other senior officials have been summoned for the next hearing on September 10.

Story so far

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) is addressing a petition filed by a citizen against the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's (PTI) planned nationwide protest on September 27. The PTI states the protest is to demand Imran Khan's release and uphold the constitution. The petitioner, a trader, fears disruption. The IHC has deemed the matter sensitive, forming a larger bench to hear the case, and has issued notices to provincial police chiefs and other key officials, summoning them for a hearing on September 10.

Latest development

A citizen's petition has prompted the Islamabad High Court to form a larger bench. The petitioner's lawyer argued the protest, planned to be led by the KP Chief Minister, could disrupt business and put undue pressure on the judiciary.

Latest updates

The petition against the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's (PTI) planned protest was filed by a citizen named Waqas Ahmed, who was identified in court as a trader in Islamabad. His lawyer, Akhtar Chheena, argued that his client would be “directly affected” by the demonstration.

The lawyer informed the court that the protest had been announced by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, who planned to lead the demonstration in the capital. He argued that if pressure through street protests was accepted as a means of obtaining relief, it could set a precedent for other pending court cases.

Concerns were also raised about a potential attack on Adiala jail, where PTI founder Imran Khan is incarcerated, with the lawyer drawing a parallel to the May 9, 2023, attack on the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi.

The PTI has stated its protest on September 27 is to demand the release of Imran Khan and to mobilise people for the supremacy of the Constitution.

During a hearing on Tuesday regarding petitions against the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's (PTI) planned protest, Islamabad High Court Chief Justice Sarfaraz Dogar described the matter as being akin to a "constitutional crisis."

The court has summoned the advocate generals and inspectors general of police from all four provinces, as well as Islamabad's chief commissioner, deputy commissioner, and inspector general, to appear in a personal capacity.

Sources and updates

Dawn News

IHC forms larger bench to hear plea against PTI's Sept 27 protest

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday decided to form a larger bench to hear a petition against the PTI’s planned Sept 27 protest, terming the matter sensitive and observing that it could have constitutional implications. The IHC also

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