The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) was banned by the Lahore High Court (LHC) from holding a rally this Sunday at Iqbal Park (Minar-e-Pakistan) and was ordered to allow people to go about their daily lives rather.
Despite “security threats,” the party intended to stage a “historic” public rally at Lahore’s Minar-e-Pakistan on March 19. Imran Khan, the PTI chairman, was scheduled to lead it.
A day earlier, PTI Senior Vice President Fawad Chaudhry filed a high court petition in an effort to halt the police operation in the vicinity of Zaman Park. In accordance with court orders, the police intervened to detain Khan in the Toshakhana case.
The high court had, during an initial hearing, ordered police to halt the operation until 10 a.m. today, which helped to defuse the conflict at the former prime minister’s home, which had devolved into a battleground.
Nevertheless, when the hearing was resumed today by Judge Tariq Saleem Sheikh, he pointed out that neither the LHC nor the Islamabad High Court (IHC) had intervened to prevent the police from carrying out the arrest warrants for the ousted prime minister.
In an effort to arrest Khan, who was dismissed as prime minister in April, PTI workers and law enforcement engaged in a nearly 24-hour-long conflict.
In the process, as law enforcement personnel used tear gas and party supporters resorted to tossing Molotov bombs, scores of people—mostly police officers—were hurt.
Following Khan’s resignation from the government in a legislative vote at the beginning of the year, legal action was taken against him. Since then, he has led protests across the country calling for an early election. During one of these rallies, he was shot and injured.
Today’s hearing
While neither of the parties to the dispute has read the law, Judge Saleem stated during the hearing that he did not “see any issue” with the circumstance.
He continued, “Now, all of us will read the law together. All of these troubles have occurred because the law was not studied. He claimed that “the system” has been “jammed” by both parties.
The PTI attorney was scolded by Justice Saleem, who stated that the party keeps knocking on the doors of both IHC and LHC regarding Khan’s warrants. “You are unsure of the location of your plea. In this circumstance, all we have to do is abide by the law.”
Fawad was informed by the judge that his party had broken the law as he approached the courtroom. “You [people] have brought suffering onto the country.”
The PTI leader then informed the court that it would be difficult for the party leader to appear before four courts in quick succession. “We have demanded Imran Khan’s appearance at hearings through video link because we are 100 percent certain that he would be attacked.”
The judge then emphasized that the party should “bring itself into the system’s ambit” and that there is a legitimate procedure for requesting security for a person.
“For God’s sake, let the people live their routine lives. Your rally will not take place this Sunday. Even if a person gets married, they plan ahead,” he said.
The judge then asked the party leader to sit down with authorities and sort out the issue. “We are being embarrassed as a nation,” the judge remarked, asking the PTI to once again reschedule its rally.
Punjab Advocate General Shan Gul then told the judge that IHC’s order has also been issued. The advocate general said that there is no need for this hearing.
At this, Justice Saleem said that he has not touched the arrest warrants. “Neither the Lahore High Court nor the Islamabad High Court stopped from executing the arrest warrants.”
The court then adjourned the hearing till 11am tomorrow.
