PTI protest: IHC orders state resources pledge

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has directed the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa chief secretary and inspector general of police to submit affidavits confirming that government machinery and public resources will not be used for political gatherings.

The direction came during a hearing on a petition challenging the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) planned protest on September 27. The case was heard by a larger bench comprising IHC Chief Justice Sarfraz Dogar, Justice Azam Khan and Justice Muhammad Asif.

During the proceedings, the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government assured the court that state machinery and official resources would not be used for any political gathering. Taking note of the undertaking, the court ordered the provincial chief secretary and IG police to formally submit affidavits confirming the commitment at the next hearing.

The court also sought arguments from the Islamabad advocate general and prosecutor general, with the matter scheduled to be taken up again on Monday at 10am.

According to the two-page written order, the advocates general of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, Sindh and Balochistan had already completed their arguments in the case.

The bench clarified that the chief secretaries and inspectors general of police of the provinces would not be required to appear before the court in person.

The proceedings come as political tensions remain high over the PTI’s planned September 27 protest, with questions being raised about the use of government resources and machinery in political activities.