ISLAMABAD (PEN) : On a tense Friday at the Islamabad High Court (IHC), Justice Saman Rifat presided over a crucial hearing concerning the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)’s plea for permission to protest in the capital, following a prohibition from the authorities.
The petition was spearheaded by PTI leader Amir Mughal, who sought the court’s intervention after the administration refused the party’s request to hold an event on July 26. The state counsel explained to the court that the federal capital’s administration had denied all political parties the right to hold protest rallies due to the current security situation. Advocate General Islamabad, Ayaz Shaukat, highlighted the complexity of the situation, noting that Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) had planned a sit-in at D-Chowk, the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) had announced a protest rally, and PTI had requested a protest at Press Club. Despite these demands, no permissions were granted, effectively shutting down Islamabad for protests.
Advocate Shoaib Shaheen, representing PTI, passionately argued for the party’s right to hold their protest at F-9 Park. He reminded the court that the IHC had previously directed the administration to allow PTI to rally, but the administration had cited potential complications if JI’s sit-in extended.
Justice Rifat, addressing the advocate general, urged him not to portray himself as powerless, as he represented the government. She questioned the broader implications of his statements, asking what message it would send to neighboring countries. In a firm yet empathetic exchange, Shaukat acknowledged the government’s challenges, stating, “It is tough to deal with your people,” underscoring the internal strife and complexities of governance.
Justice Rifat, with a tone of urgency and responsibility, suggested that the advocate general should either permit the PTI protest or risk an order implying the government’s inability to manage the situation. However, the advocate general stood firm, stating the administration could not sanction the protest despite the court’s potential orders.
This hearing highlighted the delicate balance between security concerns and democratic rights, with Justice Rifat’s decisions poised to impact not only the immediate situation but the broader political climate in Islamabad.
