LAHORE: The Insaf Lawyers’ Forum (ILF) on Friday urged the chief justice of Pakistan to take notice of the alleged state oppression against the workers of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) and protect their fundamental rights.

“We are witnessing a violation of our fundamental constitutional rights,” ILF chief organiser Shadab Jafri, flanked by Senior Vice President Irfan Klar and others, said at a press conference held in the Lahore High Court Bar Association.

They said the government machinery was being used to facilitate public meetings and rallies of a political party, without naming the PML-N.

On the other hand, the ILF officials said, the PTI was not being allowed to hold meetings and its workers were being arrested. Even during the martial laws, such oppression was not witnessed, they regretted.

“We demand the chief justice of Pakistan to protect our fundamental rights,” Mr Jafri said.

He said the PTI had announced a press conference at its Jail Road office to highlight the lack of level playing field for running its election campaign, but the Lahore Development Authority (LDA), without prior notice, sealed the premises, that was besieged by a heavy police contingent, also comprising two prison vans, with intent of arresting the party workers.

The lawyer said if the ‘largest’ political party in Pakistan was being treated like this, no one would accept the results of coming elections.

Published in Dawn, October 28th, 2023