The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday issued notices to the Attorney General of Pakistan, and the inspectors general of police and advocate generals of all four provinces on a petition challenging the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)’s planned nationwide protests, including a long march on Islamabad, on Sept. 27.
The PTI has said it would march on the federal capital on Sept. 27 in a bid to secure the desired medical treatment of the incarcerated Imran Khan, as well as his ultimate release.
Hearing a petition field by citizen Waqas Ahmed, IHC Chief Justice Sardar Muhammad Sarfraz Dogar directed the respondents to appear in their personal capacities and decided to constitute a larger bench to hear the matter.
During the hearing, the petitioner’s counsel identified him as a trader in Islamabad, stating his business would suffer if the protest proceeded as planned. Referring to statements by Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, the counsel noted several matters involving the party’s leadership was pending before courts and should be dealt with according to law.
“If their argument is accepted, people across Pakistan whose cases are pending should also take to the streets,” he argued, questioning whether the PTI also planned to attack Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail—where Khan is imprisoned—as it had the General Headquarters (GHQ) during the May 9, 2023 riots.
Describing the planned protest as “completely illegal,” the law argued that previous demonstrations by the party had caused casualties and financial losses. He said three Rangers personnel lost their lives in a previous protest, and cited media reports estimating financial losses from a November 2024 long march at Rs. 240 million. He claimed the protests aimed to exert pressure on the government to secure relief in pending cases, stressing the Constitution guaranteed judicial independence.
“Can the government direct courts to suspend sentences in appeals if two million people are brought to Islamabad?” he asked.
During the proceedings, the IHC chief justice asked whether the protesters would arrive alongside the KP chief minister and government machinery. To this, the counsel replied in the affirmative and presented a Nov. 21, 2024 letter from the Ministry of Interior regarding the use of government machinery in that long march. He further noted the PTI had yet to submit any application for its latest protest to the Islamabad district magistrate. Referring to the £190 million case against Khan, he argued the court had repeatedly asked for arguments on an appeal but they had not been presented.
Questioning whether protests could be used to pressure courts, he called for guidelines for demonstrations to ensure they not facilitate individuals involved in criminal cases.
Subsequently, the court issued notices to the attorney general, and the four provincial inspector generals and advocate generals before adjourning the case until Sept. 10.