Islamabad High Court (IHC) has said that no one has the right to stage a sit-in on the motorway and block that, while those who want to hold a public meeting have the right to protest but ordinary citizens should also not be affected.
IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq heard a petition filed by local traders against the possible closure of roads due to the PTI sit-in. Advocate General Barrister Jahangir Jadoon and Additional Attorney General Munawar Iqbal Duggal appeared in the court in connection with the hearing.
The lawyer for the traders said that the containers have been placed on the roads due to which there were problems while the Advocate General Islamabad took the position that the PTI’s application for NOC of the sit-in and rally was also pending and should also be heard with the case.
The petitioner said that orders should be issued to ensure traffic flow on highways and motorways. The Chief Justice remarked that if the highways and motorways were closed the trade will also be affected.
Additional Attorney General said that he had written to the Ministry of Law for a legal opinion. The chief justice remarked that action should be taken immediately in such matters.
Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui had ruled in the sit-in case that all the meetings will be held in the parade ground.
The Chief Justice said that there were foreigners in Islamabad and diplomatic movement was also being affected.
Justice Aamer Farooq remarked that the federation has control over the highways and motorways and it was clear that the federation could give directions in that regard.
After clubbing the petition of traders against the closure of roads with the PTI’s plea for NOC for the sit-in and rally the court adjourned the hearing till tomorrow.
PTI filed a petition with the IHC on October 31 for seeking permission to hold its rally and sit-in.
