IHC censures authorities over Islamabad ‘lockdown’ throughout PTI protest



A worker places shipping containers to close a road ahead of a planned rally by PTI supporters in Islamabad on November 23, 2024. — AFP
A employee locations transport containers to shut a highway forward of a deliberate rally by PTI supporters in Islamabad on November 23, 2024. — AFP

ISLAMABAD: Islamabad Excessive Courtroom (IHC) Chief Justice Aamer Farooq on Wednesday expressed annoyance on the authorities’s lockdown-like measures in Islamabad, geared toward deterring Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) employees from holding the “do-or-die” protest introduced by the celebration within the federal capital.

“The PTI was unsuitable, and so was the federal government,” remarked the IHC CJ whereas listening to a contempt petition filed by merchants.

Slamming the administration for successfully shutting down Islamabad, the decide stated: “You had been supposed to keep up peace, however you locked down your entire metropolis”.

The incumbent authorities, for the reason that protest known as by the PTI founder, spun into motion to discourage the protesters from reaching and getting into the federal capital.

Other than deploying a lot of riot policemen, the administration blocked a number of roads throughout the federal capital and numerous routes resulting in town with transport containers.

Nonetheless, regardless of these measures, the convoys of the PTI cohorts managed to enter Islamabad and attain even D-Chowk within the Pink Zone, the place delicate authorities buildings, together with the Parliament Home, are situated.

The entire “ultimate name” protest saga ultimately culminated in PTI’s hasty retreat from Islamabad after the federal government’s midnight crackdown on the protesters.

The Imran Khan-founded celebration has since claimed that a number of of its employees had been killed and as many as 1,000 had been arrested. The federal government has categorically denied utilizing dwell ammunition in opposition to the protesters.

A view of large number of police personal stand near container at D-Chowk due to PTI protest in twin cites on November 25, 2024. — INP
A view of huge variety of police private stand close to container at D-Chowk as a result of PTI protest in twin cites on November 25, 2024. — INP

Referring to the IHC’s November 21 order, Justice Farooq underscored that the courtroom had explicitly instructed authorities to uphold the elemental rights of residents, merchants, and protesters.

Turning his consideration to PTI, the IHC CJ stated he would additionally search solutions for his or her non-compliance with courtroom orders. “What was the petitioners’ fault? Why had been their companies pressured shut?” he requested.

Sharing his private inconvenience, the highest IHC decide stated: “Islamabad was locked down in such a approach that even judges, together with myself, couldn’t enter.” He added, “I had fallen sufferer to my very own order.”

The courtroom directed the Ministry of Inside to file a complete report on the occasions and adjourned the listening to till subsequent week.

The petition filed by merchants emphasised the financial losses brought on by extended roadblocks and demanded accountability from each events.