ISLAMABAD: The PTI which had postponed its Friday protest on the advice of the high court was once again denied permission to organise a power show in Islamabad, with the capital administration saying that the protest would create a “bad impression” of the city and hinder the movement of diplomats.

The former ruling party had planned to organise nationwide protests for the release of its founder Imran Khan on Friday but deferred its Islamabad gathering after the administration did not give permission and the matter landed in the high court.

The Islamabad High Court, however, asked the government to decide on the venue of the protest in accordance with the constitutional provisions and subsequently, the gathering was postponed till July 29.

According to a letter signed by Islamabad Deputy Commissioner Irfan Nawaz Memon, the closure of certain routes would portray the wrong image of the city in general and the country in particular. Moreover, it claimed that the road blockades would deprive the travellers of their fundamental rights.

PTI insiders say will approach court against decision of capital deputy commissioner

“It is important to mention here that this is a federal capital with the presence of about more than 60 embassies [within the city area or outside the Diplomatic Enclave] and diplomats therein. Also, there are a number of international organisations working in Islamabad. These diplomats and foreigners reside in different sectors of Islamabad… The protests and rallies in the city adversely affect the movement of these diplomats and foreigners,” a letter signed by Deputy Commissioner Irfan Nawaz Memon stated.

“Also the presence of law enforcement agencies (for protection of protesters) and blockage of certain routes portray the wrong image of the city in general and the country in particular,” he stated.

“Apart from that, around five hundred thousand (500,000) people travel to Islamabad from adjacent areas for work/study purposes on a daily basis. The blockage of roads deprives them of their fundamental rights,” the official said.

“In view of the above, every type of protest/rallies in Islamabad is restricted and your application is hereby regretted,” the letter addressed to PTI regional president Amir Masood Mughal stated.

However, the PTI has decided to approach the high court to get permission for the public meeting in the federal capital, sources said.

Last week, the Islamabad High Court asked the district administration to decide the venue for PTI’s public gathering in accordance with the relevant constitutional provisions.

IHC Justice Saman Rafat Imtiaz disposed of the petition of PTI with the observation that the constitution guaranteed freedom of peaceful assembly with reasonable restrictions which could not be taken away on the pretext that the political party poses a threat.

During the hearing of the petition, the judge inquired whether another protest demonstration was also being held in the federal capital.

The court was told that the district administration rejected all the applications seeking permission to hold public gatherings.

Published in Dawn, July 30th, 2024