The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has restrained Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf from locking down the federal capital and directed them to hold sit-in at the designated place only.
The court also ordered the government to ensure law and order and public safety in the city during the protests.
Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui of the IHC heard the four petitions for restraining PTI from shutting down the city on November 2, and seeking directions for PEMRA not to telecast Imran Khan’s speeches, interviews as he is still at large and did not surrender himself before the court of law that is seeking his arrest.
The Capital administration has specified a place namely ‘Democracy Park & Speech Corner’ for protests in Islamabad.
The bench asked the PTI counsel Babar Awan to give undertaking that they will restrict themselves with the notified place but after the break, he refused to do so and expressed lack of confidence in the judge.
Disagreeing with the verdict, PTI lawyer said the party will challenge it in the Supreme Court.
The bench had summoned PTI Chief Imran Khan to appear before the bench today but he did not come, upon which the chief justice asked his counsels whether Imran Khan is above the law.
The PTI chief must learn to respect the courts, the CJ reminded Imran’s lawyers.
Later, the court disposed of all the petitions.
