LHC says peaceful protest is citizens' right

Published November 27, 2014
Lahore High Court - Online/File
Lahore High Court - Online/File

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Thursday said that peaceful protests are the right of all citizens.

The bench made this observation during the hearing of a petition submitted by Advocate Gohar Nawaz Sindhu regarding unlawful arrests of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) workers.

Insaf Lawyers Forum-Punjab Senior Vice-President Advocate Gohar Nawaz Sindhu filed a petition to the Lahore High Court, asking the court to prevent the government from creating hurdles against PTI workers. The petition was accepted by the court.

Gohar Nawaz Sindhu stated that the citizens are protected under articles 15, 16 and 19 of the constitution. The advocate also added that according to article nine, the protesters cannot be held behind bars for a peaceful protest. He said that there are no red, green, or blue areas that are prohibited by the constitution. He added that people are at liberty to do processions at public places as it is granted by the constitution.

The government and PTI are currently embroiled in a verbal war over the protesting party’s planned demonstration in the capital on Nov 30. Both sides are standing their ground and there has been much posturing by leaders on both sides.

Read more here: Countdown to Nov 30

Imran Khan has been relentless in his campaign to mobilise support for the demonstration and promises to make it a landmark one. The government in general, and Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan in particular, have been equally vocal, insisting that Mr Khan and his party have to play by the rules or face the might of the state.

Also read: PTI won’t be allowed to hold its Nov 30 rally at D-Chowk, says Nisar

Answering a question, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said the PTI would not be allowed to hold a public meeting at D-Chowk in Islamabad on Nov 30. The party would have to seek permission from the district administration to hold a rally that day. Mr Khan said nobody would be allowed to disturb the peace of Islamabad as the government was ready to deal sternly with the people who “wanted to damage state property in the garb of peaceful protests”.

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