Islamabad High Court (ICH) on Monday ordered the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman to protest only within the territory of Parade Ground located near Faizabad because lockdown will not be allowed or tolerated in any case.
ICH also summoned PTI Chairman Imran Khan to appear in court during hearing of petitions against the party’s planned protest.
IHC Judge Shaukat Siddiqui asked Imran to protest without disturbing law and order or any routine activities of Islamabad and to remain within the assigned area.
IHC also directed police to provide security to Imran Khan when he comes to appear before the court [to submit his response].
Earlier today, Imran asked the Supreme Court to take suo motu notice of the arrests of his party workers by the police, asking under which law are my people were being arrested and abducted.
Meanwhile, police have reportedly continued to arrest the activists and erected barriers in their way as they attempted to reach Imran’s residence in Bani Gala.
On Monday morning, PTI leader Shireen Mazari said police had restrained her and other women activists of the party from reaching Bani Gala, asking the authorities to explain the situation.
In his earlier press conference, PTI chairman had questioned if the judiciary were only protecting the powerful, saying the administration had put containers in the capital while his workers were being arrested despite court orders.
Imran has announced to launch a mass protest in Islamabad on November 2 against the alleged massive corruption by the rulers as exposed by Panama Papers leaks.
According to the PTI chairman, he wouldn’t call off his protest until the premier returns the ‘looted’ money to the exchequer or steps down from his position.
On Sunday, PTI decided that Imran Khan will be flanked by a large number of supporters when he leaves his Bani Gala residence for the Supreme Court to witness the proceedings of a crucial case involving the Panamagate. The strategy was finalised in a bid to avoid PTI chairman’s possible arrest or any other unfair means the government may employ against him.
The decision was followed by an important announcement in which Imran Khan directed the party leadership and activists from Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa to reach Bani Gala today (Monday).
