Democracy permits sit-in outside PM House: Imran Khan

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Iman Khan addressed party workers on Sunday stating that peaceful protests were allowed in a democratic system. Khan added that democracy permitted holding a sit-in outside the PM House.

Khan said there was an agreement with Tahirul Qadri that protests would remain peaceful, however, the assault on protesters was preplanned. Khan added that the entire federal capital had been sealed off.

The PTI chairman reiterated the demand of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s resignation stating that the premier should step down until the election rigging probe is complete.

Khan said police first assaulted protestors terming them Gull Butts in police uniforms. The PTI chairman further said these Gull Butts destroyed vehicles, their organizer was missing and media was attacked for reporting the truth.



Imran Khan said he was the victim of tear gas shelling and had difficulty breathing. According to Khan protesters broke the door of Parliament House to save their lives.

Right to Protest

The PTI Chief has been repeatedly stating that the right to protest is a democratic one that is allowed even in the most developed countries of the world. While the right to protest is allowed in Western countries, there are strict guidelines for exercising said democratic right.

UK

In order to protest in the United Kingdom, the police must be informed by the organizers in writing at least 6 days before a public march. The information provided must include :

1) The date and time of the march
2) The route of the march
3) The names and addresses of the organizers

Additionally the Police may at any point:

1) Limit or change the route of the march
2) Set a condition, for the march.
3) Change the location of the march
4) Limit how long a rally lasts
5) Limit the amount of people that attend
6) Stop a sit-down protest if it b locks road traffic or public walkways

USA

In the United States, New York’s Mayor Micheal Bloomberg ordered the NYPD to clear protesters at Zuccotti Park in 2011 stating that the protest was becoming a “fire and health hazard”. That alone gives an idea of the laws regarding peaceful protests in the United States.
While the First Amendment allows Americans protection from any laws that would infringe their right to free speech and expression, right to assemble, petitioning among other things. However the Police is still allowed to impose “”time, place and manner” restrictions on Americans who wish to exercise their First Amendment rights.

While in the Untied States one does not require a permit to march on the side walk, but if protesters plan on blocking roads for traffic or complete road closures than a permit is required. A protest/rally that requires sound amplifying devices (speakers) also require permits.

According to the American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey, “Individuals can, of course, be prosecuted for breaking generally applicable content neutral laws, such as trespass and disturbuing the peace, even if they do so for expressive purposes.”

While the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan has been telling suporters and followers, that marching on the Prime Minister House is their right and has led them to clash with law enforcers leading them to believe this is how it is done in the west, it seems Mr. Khan has once again been found wanting.