LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) restrained the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) and the Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) on Wednesday from holding ‘Azadi march’ or ‘Inqilab march’ and a sit-in in any ‘unconstitutional way’. In another order, a full bench of the LHC called for removal of containers placed by police to block almost all major roads in Punjab.

“PTI and PAT are restrained from launching Azadi march, Inqilab march or holding dharna (sit-in) at Islamabad, in any unconstitutional way, keeping in view the sanctity of the Independence Day and the current chaotic and uncertain situation in the country,” a short order issued by a full bench, headed by Justice Khalid Mahmood Khan, said. Justice Shahid Hameed Dar and Justice Anwarul Haq were the other members of the bench.

The bench announced the order at 8pm while it had concluded its proceedings at 2.30pm after hearing lawyers of the government, PTI and other petitioners.

During the hearing, the bench kept asking the PTI counsel to not to link its protest with resignation of the prime minister or ouster of parliament.

Justice Khan said call for overthrow of the government was unconstitutional.

However, Ahmad Awais, PTI’s counsel, refused to give any such undertaking. He only undertook that the protest would be peaceful. On behalf of the federal government, Attorney General Salman Butt urged the bench to pass a restraining order against the marches of the PTI and PAT.

He said if the protesters were given a free hand to reach their destination, the ‘red zone’ in Islamabad, unrest could follow. He said millions of protesting people could assemble at a sports complex.

Earlier, a full bench also restrained the Punjab government from arresting political workers and asked it to ensure smooth supply of petrol and other fuel in the province.

The full bench, headed by Justice Mahmood Ahmad Bhatti, issued the order on an intra court appeal filed by a citizen, Alamgir, against an order of a single-judge bench that had dismissed a petition against placing of containers.

The Punjab government filed a review petition after the full bench ordered rem­oval of containers in the whole province.

The bench took up the review petition at 5.30pm and issued notice to the PTI and other petitioners in the case for Aug 18, but denied the government instant relief and upheld its earlier order for removal of the containers.

Published in Dawn, August 14th, 2014