LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Thursday allowed Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf to hold its Raiwind protest in a peaceful manner and directed the government to provide a foolproof security to the participants.

A full bench headed by acting Chief Justice Shahid Hameed Dar directed the government and police to take every possible measure to maintain peace and tranquility in the entire area of the protest activity and remain alive to any wrongdoing.

The bench issued these directions announcing its verdict earlier reserved on petitions of PTI leader Waleed Iqbal and others.

Justice Muhammad Anwarul Haq and Justice Muhammad Qasim Khan are the other members of the bench that had reserved the verdict on Wednesday.

The verdict authored by Justice Dar says that no one shall be unnecessarily harassed, maltreated or arrested from amongst the peaceful protesters.

However, the bench rules: “The petitioner-party shall abide by the terms and conditions it settled with the district government and make sure that no incendiary behaviour is shown by any one on the stage....”

The bench admires an undertaking given by the party leader and counsel that no one shall be allowed to advance towards “Jati Umra” where the prime minister and his family reside.

It observes that the right of path shall invariably be respected by all and it is the duty of the state and the government to safeguard fundamental rights of its citizens as guaranteed by the Constitution and the workers/activists of the PTI are no exceptions. The bench directs the party to ensure smooth and calm dispersal of the public meeting.

Besides PTI leaders and lawyers, district coordination officer, chief traffic officer and other police officials were also present in the court.

The petitioners had pleaded that the government be restrained from arresting workers of PTI and other opposition parties intending to join the Sept 30 protest at “Adda Plot”.

They said the protest meeting would be a disciplined and well-organised event and it would be made sure that participants under no circumstances resorted to any hooliganism.

Published in Dawn, September 30th, 2016