Petition calls for ban on PAT, PTI

Published August 22, 2014
PTI chairman Imran Khan and PAT chairman Tahirul Qadri.
PTI chairman Imran Khan and PAT chairman Tahirul Qadri.

LAHORE: Advocate M.H. Mujahid on Friday filed a petition in the Supreme Court's Lahore registry seeking a ban on the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT).

In his plea, the petitioner contended that the protests being staged by the PAT and PTI were adversely affecting the movement of Islamabad's residents and sought a ban on both the political parties under Article 17 of the Constitution.

Article 17 of the Constitution relates to freedom of association and states that "every citizen shall have the right to form associations or unions, subject to any reasonable restrictions imposed by law in the interest of sovereignty or integrity of Pakistan, public order or morality".

The PAT and PTI have been staging anti-government protests for more than a week now against alleged rigging during the 2013 general elections and corruption in the country. The parties are also seeking the resignation of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

Sharif's PML-N had come into power following its sweeping victory during the 2013 elections that marked the first democratic transition of power in the country.

European Human Rights Commission and other foreign observers had endorsed the transparency and fairness of the elections and appreciated the arrangements made for the polls in a free and peaceful manner.

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