The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Thursday stopped the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) from holding a rally this Sunday at Iqbal Park (Minar-e-Pakistan) and directs the party to let citizens live their routine lives.
The party was planning to hold a “historic” public rally at Lahore’s Minar-e-Pakistan on March 19 and PTI Chairman Imran Khan was set to lead it — despite “security threats”.
Also Read: Lahore High Court restricts Police from arresting Imran Khan till Tomorrow
Lahore High Court’s Justice Tariq Saleem Sheikh issued directives while hearing a petition filed by PTI Senior leader Fawad Chaudhry seeking to stop the “atrocities” outside Zaman Park, As The police had taken action to arrest Khan in the Toshakhana case as per court orders.
Earlier, After an initial hearing, the high court ordered police to suspend the operation at Zaman Park till 10 am today which helped calm the situation at the former prime minister’s residence which had turned into a battleground due to clashes between police and PTI Workers.
But today, when Justice Tariq Saleem Sheikh resumed the hearing, he noted that neither the LHC nor the Islamabad High Court (IHC) had stopped the law enforcers from suspending the former prime minister’s arrest warrants.
Clashes between PTI workers and Police officials last for 24 years in which more than 50 police officials including DIG Operation Islamabad got injured meanwhile hundreds of PTI workers including women got injured and faced breathing issues due to tear gas fired by police officials.
Today’s Hearing
In today’s hearing Justice Saleem said that he does not “find any issue” in the situation, but noted that neither of the parties involved in the case has read the law.
“All of these issues have arisen because the law was not read,” he said, adding that today, “all of us will read the law together”. He said that both sides have “jammed the system”.
The Lahore High Court judge also reprimanded the PTI counsel for approaching the wrong courts in Imran Khan’s arrest warrants issued. The judge told Fawad Chaudhry that his party was not following the law.
At this, the PTI leader told the court that when the party chief has to appear before four courts subsequently, it becomes hard for him. “We are 100% sure about an attack on Imran Khan and that is why we had requested his presence at hearings via video link.”
The judge then said that there is a proper procedure for seeking security for a person and stressed that the party should bring “itself inside the system’s ambit”.
LHC slammed the party for not planning its public gathering in Lahore. “PSL is going on and PTI should reschedule its rally,” he said.
“For God’s sake, let the people live their routine lives. Your rally will not take place this Sunday. Even if a person gets married, they plan ahead,” he said.
The judge then asked the party leader to sit down with authorities and sort out the issue. “We are being embarrassed as a nation,” the judge remarked, asking the PTI to once again reschedule its rally.
Punjab Advocate General Shan Gul then told the judge that IHC’s order has also been issued. The advocate general said that there is no need for this hearing.
At this, Justice Saleem said that he has not touched the arrest warrants. “Neither the Lahore High Court nor the Islamabad High Court stopped from executing the arrest warrants.”
The court adjourned till 11 am by tomorrow.
Remember that former premier and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan had announced to hold a power show at Minar-e-Pakistan on Sunday. Now after the Lahore High Court orders PTI not going to hold Rally at Minar-e-Pakistan Lahore.