Islamabad/Peshawar (TDI): The high courts in Islamabad and Peshawar were approached on Thursday to declare the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) planned protest on November 24 as “illegal,” amidst escalating political tensions and concerns of a potential stand-off.
The federal government is bracing for what PTI has described as a “do-or-die” protest, with preparations underway to seal off Islamabad.
Meanwhile, the party is mobilising its workers to ensure large-scale participation, raising apprehensions of clashes between demonstrators and law enforcement authorities.
A petition filed in the Islamabad High Court (IHC) by Advocate Rizwan Abbasi, on behalf of a trader association president, urged the court to issue an order to halt the PTI’s demonstration.
The plea argued that the protest gives the impression of a “military expedition (lashkar kashi) on Islamabad and Punjab,” posing a serious threat to national unity.
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The petition emphasized that such actions without prior approval undermine the rule of law, adding that the “unity of the country” takes precedence over financial or administrative concerns.
The complainant also called for directives to the interior ministry, Islamabad administration, and police to ensure the protection of fundamental rights, including freedom of movement, trade, and property.
Hearing the petition, IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq summoned the interior minister, interior secretary, Islamabad chief commissioner, and inspector general of police to appear in court.
Petition Filed in Peshawar High Court
A separate petition has been filed in the Peshawar High Court (PHC) seeking to halt the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) planned protest, citing misuse of state resources and neglect of administrative responsibilities by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government.
The petitioner alleged that the KP government was prioritising the party’s “political motives” over its constitutional duties, describing the protest as being organised for “nefarious purposes, according to media reports.
The plea further claimed that state machinery, including resources and personnel, was being deployed for PTI’s political agenda, an act deemed a violation of public trust.
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Drawing attention to incidents from a previous demonstration, the petitioner noted that several government officials and employees had been detained, raising concerns about the abuse of power and the undermining of governance.
The petition called on the court to intervene and ensure the KP government focuses on its responsibilities rather than facilitating a political showdown in Islamabad.
The plea comes amidst heightened tensions as PTI intensifies preparations for its protest, prompting legal challenges in both Peshawar and Islamabad against the planned demonstration.
The court proceedings and the mobilization efforts come as political fault lines deepen, with the federal government and PTI showing no signs of compromise ahead of the scheduled demonstration.
