LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Tuesday disposed of a petition of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) challenging the imposition of Section 144 in the Punjab province.

PTI Punjab Deputy Secretary Zubair Ahmad Kasana, who filed a petition, told the court that the period of the restriction imposed by the government had expired. Therefore, he sought permission to withdraw his petition.

Justice Syed Shahbaz Ali Rizvi allowed the request and disposed of the petition.

Mr Kasana, who also heads Insaf Lawyers’ Forum-Punjab, had stated in the petition that the Punjab government imposed the ban on the political activities under Section 144 after the PTI announced its peaceful protest.

He said the PTI cannot be denied basic human rights guaranteed by the country’s constitution.

He asked the court to set aside the impugned notification issued by the provincial secretary for home for being illegal.

On July 25, the Punjab home department imposed Section 144 across the province for three days, citing threats of terrorism.

Under Section 144 of CrPC, all public gatherings, rallies, sit-ins, and protests are banned in Punjab.

The notification stated that the ban would be in effect from July 26 to 28.

It explained that Section 144 was imposed for maintaining peace and protecting human lives and property.

Published in Dawn, July 31st, 2024