Islamabad High Court Bans Road Blockades for Political Protests
- The Islamabad High Court ruled that no political party or public office-holder possesses the lawful right to block roads, highways, or public places in the federal capital, according...
- A larger bench headed by Islamabad High Court Chief Justice Sarfraz Dogar announced the verdict after hearing a petition regarding the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf planned protest in Islamabad, which...
- The court issued strict directions to provincial chief ministers to ensure that government machinery, funds, officials, and vehicles are not deployed for political party protests.
The Islamabad High Court ruled that no political party or public office-holder possesses the lawful right to block roads, highways, or public places in the federal capital, according to IHC RADIO PAKISTAN.
A larger bench headed by Islamabad High Court Chief Justice Sarfraz Dogar announced the verdict after hearing a petition regarding the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf planned protest in Islamabad, which is scheduled for September 27.
Court Directives on Government Resources and Free Movement
The court issued strict directions to provincial chief ministers to ensure that government machinery, funds, officials, and vehicles are not deployed for political party protests.
Judicial observations noted that political parties and their leaders cannot obstruct citizens’ constitutional rights to free movement. The Islamabad administration and the Ministry of Interior were instructed by the bench to guarantee the protection of public rights during the upcoming demonstrations, with chief secretaries and inspectors general of police tasked with enforcement across the provinces.
Arguments Presented by Government Officials
Court proceedings also involved playing video footage of previous Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf protests held in 2022 and 2024 under special court permission.
Islamabad Advocate General Naveed Malik alleged to the court that government machinery was utilized during prior demonstrations and claimed protesters removed administration barriers with cranes. Malik further contended that the announced march pursues unconstitutional objectives centered on seeking the release of a prisoner and the removal of the government, maintaining that organizers must submit formal applications to relevant magistrates before holding gatherings.