ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday constituted a larger bench to hear a petition seeking to prevent the PTI from holding its planned protest in the federal capital on September 27, with Chief Justice Sardar Muhammad Sarfraz Dogar describing the matter as a “constitutional crisis”.
The petition was filed by private citizen Waqas Ahmed. During the hearing, Chief Justice Dogar issued notices to the respondents and directed them to submit their replies by September 10. The court also sought assistance from Attorney General for Pakistan Mansoor Awan.
The three-member larger bench will be headed by Chief Justice Dogar and will include Justice Muhammad Azam Khan and Justice Muhammad Asif.
The court ordered the chief secretaries and inspectors general of police of all four provinces to appear in person. Islamabad’s chief commissioner, deputy commissioner and IGP were also directed to appear, along with the advocate generals of the four provinces and Islamabad.
The petitioner’s counsel told the court that his client was an Islamabad-based businessman who would be directly affected by the planned protest. He argued that cases involving PTI founder Imran Khan were already before the courts and should be decided through the legal process rather than through street pressure.
Questioning the legality of the proposed demonstration, the counsel referred to the May 9, 2023 events at the General Headquarters and asked whether the planned mobilisation could pose a similar threat to Adiala Jail, where Imran is currently detained.
He also cited the PTI’s November 2024 protest in Islamabad, claiming that three Rangers personnel were killed during the demonstration and referring to a newspaper report that estimated losses from the protest at Rs240 million. He alleged that the party was attempting to secure judicial relief through political pressure.
Chief Justice Dogar asked whether protesters were expected to arrive with the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister and provincial government machinery. The counsel replied in the affirmative and presented a November 21, 2024 letter from the Interior Ministry, alleging that government resources had been used during the previous protest despite the ministry’s directions.
The counsel further argued that PTI leaders were travelling to Islamabad in support of a convicted prisoner. He noted that two cases involving Imran were pending before the IHC and claimed that despite repeated opportunities, arguments on the appeals had not been advanced.
He questioned whether bringing two million people to Islamabad could provide grounds for seeking suspension of sentences in pending appeals.
After describing the situation as a “constitutional crisis”, the court sought responses from the concerned parties and adjourned the hearing until Thursday.
