LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Monday overruled an objection raised by the registrar office to a petition filed by the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf seeking permission to hold a public rally at Minar-i-Pakistan on Aug 5.

Justice Mirza Viqas Rauf heard the objection to the petition filed by PTI Lahore President Mian Akram Usman, who challenged the alleged failure of the Lahore deputy commissioner to decide the party’s application seeking permission for the public rally.

After hearing the matter, the judge set aside the objection and directed the registrar office to fix the petition for hearing.

Earlier, the office had objected to the maintainability of the petition.

The PTI leader had filed the petition, pleading that he submitted his NOC request on July 22, seeking permission for the Jalsa, along with assurances of full compliance with security, traffic and administrative protocols.

He alleged that despite repeated follow-ups, the DC office had neither granted nor formally refused the request. Instead, he said, the DC resorted to delaying tactics and administrative silence.

The petitioner argued that this inaction amounts to an indirect refusal that infringes the petitioner’s fundamental rights, which protect due process, peaceful assembly, freedom of association and freedom of expression.

The petitioner contended that the authorities may regulate but cannot arbitrarily withhold permission for peaceful political gatherings.

He asked the court to direct the respondent DC to immediately issue the NOC and ensure security arrangements for the public rally.

Published in Dawn, August 4th, 2026