ISLAMABAD: Traders who had filed a petition against the November 30 public meeting of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) at the Islamabad High Court (IHC) met the district administration to express their concerns.

IHC Justice Athar Minallah on Tuesday asked petitioners to approach the district magistrate to discuss their concerns with him. The court also directed the district magistrate to consider the traders’ petition. He said in case the district magistrate fails to resolve the issue, the petitioners can come to the IHC once again.

Following the court order, a delegation comprising over 70 local traders met the district magistrate who assured them that the administration will consider their grievances and these would be discussed at a higher level as well.

Trader associations of Islamabad had challenged the November 30 rally of PTI at IHC saying that it would hamper routine life in Islamabad. They said that the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) administration should allow the protesters to protest at an allocated place such as the industrial exhibition ground near Faizabad or the F-9 Park so that residents are not disturbed.

In another development IHC registrar office raised objection on a petition filed by PTI’s lawmaker Asad Umar against imposition of Section 144 in the federal capital which was intact since Muharram.

Asad Umar has also been seeking orders against the alleged harassment of PTI workers arguing that the administration has been raiding houses of PTI workers and arresting them. IHC registrar office raised objections over the said petition as the petitioner did not attach the Section 144 notification.

Legal counsel for PTI Shoaib Shaheed advocate told Dawn that the petitioner has removed the objection and the court would take up this matter on Thursday.

Published in Dawn, November 27th, 2014