ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has ruled that no political party, leader, provincial government or public office holder has the lawful right to occupy public roads, highways, interchanges, toll plazas or buildings in connection with political activities.
The detailed 37-page verdict was issued on Friday by a larger bench headed by IHC Chief Justice Sardar Muhammad Sarfraz Dogar and comprising Justice Muhammad Azam Khan and Justice Muhammad Asif in a petition challenging Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) planned long march to Islamabad on September 27.
The court held that no political party or leader could obstruct the free movement of citizens or hinder access to trade, business, medical facilities and educational institutions in the federal capital.
It further ruled that any person or entity whose activities result in violations of citizens’ fundamental rights in Islamabad would be deemed to have violated the Constitution and could face consequences under the law.
The petition was filed by citizen Waqas Ahmed against the planned PTI march.
The court also declared that aggression by one federating unit against another or against the federation, including through a march or procession, was “unconstitutional, illegal and unlawful”.
It said any person, authority or government organising, participating in or promoting such marches, rallies or processions would be liable for consequences under the Constitution and law.
The judgment referred to PTI protests in Islamabad in May 2022 and November 2024, observing that the activities had created serious security and law-and-order situations.
In view of the planned September 27 march, the court directed provincial governments and chief ministers to ensure that no official vehicles, machinery or other government equipment was used to assist or facilitate participants travelling towards Islamabad.
The court also ordered provincial authorities to ensure that no public servant was compelled to participate in any march or procession heading towards the federal capital.
The Islamabad administration and the Ministry of Interior were directed to ensure that no person residing in the Islamabad Capital Territory undertook activities that violated the constitutional rights of other citizens.
The ruling follows the court’s earlier short order directing chief ministers to prevent the use of government resources and official machinery for the PTI’s planned protest.
The PTI has maintained that its September 27 protest and long march would be peaceful and has described the mobilisation as an effort to demand the release of party founder Imran Khan and promote the supremacy of the Constitution and rule of law.
