IHC bars PTI from shutting down Islamabad

ISLAMABAD: Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday ordered Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) not to shut down the capital during the party’s November 2 sit-in.

During the hearing of petitions seeking to stop PTI sit-in, IHC issued orders that no containers will be allowed in the city and no roads will be blocked. The court further said that no exams in the city will be rescheduled and all schools will remain open on November 2.

The court directed the district magistrate to allocate a venue for the sit-in and inform PTI about it. The court also ordered the district administration and CDA to arrange facilities for participants at the sit-in next week.

IHC stated during the hearing that Imran Khan’s statements show that the PTI chief wants to freeze the government machinery. The court added that from the looks of it Imran Khan’s November 2 sit-in is not intended to be a mere protest.

IHC judge Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui remarked that it should be known to all that the courts are the ‘on-field umpire as well as the third umpire’ in any situation.

The court has summoned Imran Khan on October 31.

The petitions state that Imran Khan does not believe in the supremacy of the law and that the protest would affect citizens' basic rights.

During hearing of the petitions yesterday, IHC asked the Pakistan Electronic Media Regularity Authority (PEMRA) for the records of Imran Khan’s speeches related to Islamabad sit-in on Nov 2.

PTI is to protest in Islamabad on November 2 on the issue of Panama leaks.

Section 144 imposed in the capital

The district administration in the capital has imposed section 144 banning public gatherings and display of weapons.

According to a notification more than five people cannot gather at a location. Public rallies and mass gatherings have been banned.

The notification comes ahead of sit-in Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf had planned for November 2. The PTI is protesting alleged offshore accounts owned by the Prime Minister named in the Panama Papers.