LAHORE: A Lahore High Court full bench on Monday issued notices to Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf chief Imran Khan, Awami Tehreek leader Dr Tahirul Qadri, PML-Q leaders Chaudhry Shujaat Husain and Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi, Awami Muslim League’s Sheikh Rasheed and others on a petition challenging PTI’s Aug 14 ‘Azadi March’ that was later joined by other parties.

The bench headed by Justice Khalid Mahmood Khan was hearing petition filed by Muhammad Kamran through Advocate Asad Manzoor Butt. Other members of the bench included Justice Shahid Hameed Dar and Justice Anwarul Haq.

The petitioner prayed that an order be passed for restraining political parties from staging protests and long march, saying it was an attempt to destroy peace in the country and also to dismantle democratic setup.

He said millions of rupees to be spent on these protests and long marches should be used for helping Waziristan’s displaced people.

Know more: Larger bench urged to hear pleas against PTI march

The bench asked the counsel as to how the court could direct the government to resolve the political turmoil through dialogue when its opponents were adamant to wage an “armed battle” against it.

However, Justice Khan observed the government should initiate dialogue process with the protesting parties to maintain stability in the country.

An additional attorney general Naseer Ahmad Bhutta told the bench the government wanted to resolve the crisis through dialogue.

He said Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had invited the protesting parties for talks but to no avail. He said the PM had visited Imran Khan in the past and could go to his house again.

Justice Khan remarked the prime minister should visit Imran Khan ten times, if needed, for bringing stability to the country. “Banigala (residence of Imran Khan) is not so far from the PM house,” the judge added.

The bench adjourned further hearing till Aug 12 (today) and directed the federal and provincial law officers to come up with details about steps taken by the government to end the political crisis through reconciliation.

Advocate Ahmad Awais, who was present in the court, received notice on behalf of Imran Khan, while additional attorney general and Punjab advocate general received notices on behalf of respondents, including interior ministry, federation and Punjab home secretary.

The bench also directed the registrar to intimate remaining respondents through news in print as well as electronic media to ensure their presence in the court on the next hearing.

Published in Dawn, Aug 12th, 2014