ISLAMABAD: Justice Athar Minallah of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday summoned the deputy commissioner on Wednesday on a petition filed by Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) against imposition of Section 144 in the federal capital.

About a week before the PTI’s ‘Azadi’ march and Pakistan Awami Tehreek’s ‘Inqilab’ march, the district administration through a notification imposed Section 144 in Islamabad.

The petition against the notification was filed by Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf leaders Jehangir Tareen, Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Dr Arif Alvi, Asad Umar and Shafqat Mehmood.

After the court proceedings, Mr Qureshi told mediapersons that on the pretext of Section 144 the government was arresting and harassing peaceful protesters.

“The Islamabad administration despite court orders did not remove the containers from roads in Islamabad. The administration is also arresting political workers,” he added.

Citing the interior ministry, the inspectors general of police (IGPs) Islamabad, Punjab, Azad Kashmir, the chief commissioner and deputy commissioner Islamabad as respondents, the petitioners adopted before the court that the freedom of speech was a fundamental right recognised at the international level and an essential component of democracy.

The petition said on August 13 the party started its march towards Islamabad. For the last 31 days, PTI chief Imran Khan has been demanding resignation of the prime minister to ensure impartial investigation into the rigging of 2013 elections.

The petition claimed that the Islamabad administration in exercise of the powers under Section 144 CrPC had also banned pillion riding.

It alleged that the PTI workers, voters, supporters and the sit-in participants were arrested from their residences, hotels and while travelling to and from the sit-in.

The petition requested the court to declare imposition of Section 144 illegal and restrain the law enforcement agencies from detaining and arresting the participants of the sit-in.

Published in Dawn, September 17th, 2014