LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Wednesday sought replies from the provincial and district governments on a Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) petition seeking permission to hold a public gathering at Minar-i-Pakistan on March 22.

Justice Farooq Haider heard the petition filed by PTI Punjab Vice President Akmal Khan Bari through Advocate Latif Khosa.

The petitioner contended that despite a court order, the home secretary had not yet decided on the party’s request for permission to hold a gathering.

He pointed out that the court had previously directed him to avail the first remedy by approaching the grievance redressal commissioner.

He said an application was submitted to the chief secretary of Punjab to avail the remedy, but the application had not been decided by the authority yet.

The petitioner stated that no intimation or notice had been received till date from the authority regarding the decision or any hearing of the application.

He said his party intended to hold a peaceful political gathering, but permission was not being granted.

The petitioner asked the court to direct the government to allow the gathering at Minar-i-Pakistan on March 22. The judge adjourned the hearing for Thursday (today).

Published in Dawn, March 20th, 2025