LAHORE: The Punjab chapter of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf on Saturday filed a petition in the Lahore High Court challenging arrest of party workers, shortage of fuel and blocking of roads for what it said to stop "Azadi March" to reach Islamabad on Aug 14.

PTI Punjab President Ijaz Chaudhry contended in the petition that the provincial government was creating hurdles in the march by taking their party workers into illegal detention.

He said petrol pumps had also been closed across the province that forced the citizens to sit at their homes. He said the barricades and containers had been placed on almost all major roads that not only disrupted transportation but also curbed freedom of movement of people.

The petitioner asked the court to direct the government to open all the blocked roads, release arrested party workers and let petrol pumps supply fuel.

Advocate Rana Asad, former president of Young Lawyers Forum, also filed a petition seeking directions for the government to remove containers and barriers from roads. He said containers caused problems for citizens as supply of essential edibles was stopped. He said the acts of the government were against the fundamental rights of people.

Published in Dawn, August 10th, 2014