ISLAMABAD: Justice Athar Minallah of Islamabad High Court (IHC) directed the Islamabad administration on Tuesday to get schools vacated from policemen and clear the roads of containers within one week.

The containers had been placed around the city to prevent PTI and PAT protesters from reaching Islamabad to join the marches. They have been placed ever since. The local administration also provided temporary accommodation to hundreds of policemen in over 50 schools.

During the hearing of a petition filed by a local traders’ leader against the sit-ins, the judge ordered the Islamabad administration to re-open the schools.

He directed the capital administration to vacate the educational institutions and relocate policemen to some other buildings. They were also asked to submit a compliance report before the court by September 22.

During the hearing, Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) of Islamabad Maryam Khan expressed ignorance about the number of schools that were closed due to the ongoing sit-ins. She, however, assured the court of complying with its orders.

She also submitted ‘no objection certificates’ which the district administration issued to PTI and PAT for their protest in the federal capital on the instructions of the interior ministry.

Published in Dawn, September 10th , 2014