LAHORE: A larger bench of the Lahore High Court on Monday summoned Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan and asked the federal and Punjab governments to submit responses over the steps taken with regard to the PTI's call for 'Azadi March' on independence day.

A three-member larger bench led by Justice Khalid Mehmood Khan and comprising Justice Shahid Hameed and Justice Anwarul Haq resumed the hearing over the petitions filed against the 'Azadi March' announced by Imran Khan.

During the hearing Justice Khalid Mehmood Khan inquired as to what kind of justice was dispensed by the placement of containers to stop the 'Azadi March' and added that the country's integrity was at stake and the prime minister should not hesitate in reaching out to anyone ten times if needed.

Punjab Advocate General Hanif Khatana told the bench that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had offered to pay a visit to the residences of his political opponents.

Additional Attorney General Naseer Bhutta told the court that the 'Azadi March' could lead to violence and bloodshed.

Counsel for the petitioner, Advocate AK Dogar told the bench that if the court court failed to stop the march then it would fail at delivering justice.

Justice Mehmood Khan replied that the court could not stop any one from staging protests as it was the basic right of every citizen under the Constitution of Pakistan.

He said that the high court were not authorised to issue instructions to the federal government adding that under what authority could it issue directives to the prime minister and parliament.

He further asked as to what could the courts do if political parties ignored the directives of high courts.

The court asked the representatives of the Punjab and federal government who were attending the hearing, to submit their replies over the actions taken by the respective governments and summoned all the respondents in the case including chief of the PTI Imran Khan, Awami Muslim League (AML) chief Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed and Pakistan Muslim League- Quaid leaders Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and Chaudry Pervez Elahi for the next hearing of the case which was adjourned until tomorrow.

LHC orders for opening of petrol stations

In another case, LHC's Justice Iftikhar Hussain Chaudhry issued a show cause notice to DCO Lahore Capt (r) Muhammad Usman for not appearing in today's hearing over a petition filed by the Peoples Lawyers Forum against the closure of petrol filling stations in major cities of Punjab.

During the hearing, Justice Iftikhar Hussain Chaudhry warned DIG Dr Haider Ashraf of action against him and DCO Lahore, in case petrol was not supplied and filling stations were not opened by tomorrow.