LHC sends PTI Minar-i-Pakistan rally plea to legal remedy

The Lahore High Court on Wednesday disposed of a petition from the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf seeking permission to hold a public rally at Minar-i-Pakistan in Lahore after being informed that the deputy commissioner had already turned down the request, Dawn reported.

The hearing came as PTI prepared for countrywide protests to mark three years since the imprisonment of party founder Imran Khan and to press for his release. The party had identified a gathering in Peshawar as the main event in its protest campaign, while also seeking permission for a Lahore rally.

Court hearing on PTI rally permission

Justice Mirza Viqas Rauf heard the petition filed by PTI Lahore President Mian Akram Usman. At the start of proceedings, the court asked a law officer to obtain instructions from the deputy commissioner.

When the hearing resumed, the law officer told the court that the deputy commissioner had rejected the application during a high-level meeting. He said permission could not be granted because of what he described as potential terrorist threats in Lahore.

The court then asked PTI counsel to explain under what law the court, while acting under Article 199 of the Constitution, could authorize a public gathering after the administrative authority had already decided the matter.

Court advises party to pursue legal challenge

After hearing the exchange, Justice Rauf disposed of the petition and advised the party to challenge the deputy commissioner’s order if it felt aggrieved. The judge observed that this would be the proper legal remedy.

According to the petition, PTI had submitted a request for a no-objection certificate on July 22 for the Minar-i-Pakistan rally. The party said it had offered assurances that it would follow security, traffic and administrative requirements.

The petition also alleged that despite repeated follow-ups, the deputy commissioner’s office did not act on the request in a timely manner. The court record described in Dawn’s report does not indicate that the permission was restored.

Political backdrop to the rally request

The petition was part of PTI’s broader plan for protests on Wednesday. The party said the demonstrations were meant to mark the anniversary of Imran Khan’s imprisonment and demand his release.

For now, the Lahore leg of that plan remains blocked by the district administration’s decision, with the court directing PTI to use the appropriate legal channel if it wants to contest the refusal.

FAQ

What did the Lahore High Court decide?

The court disposed of PTI’s petition after learning that the deputy commissioner had already refused permission for the rally.

Why was permission denied?

According to the law officer who appeared in court, the refusal was linked to security concerns and potential terrorist threats in Lahore.

What did the court tell PTI to do next?

Justice Mirza Viqas Rauf advised the party to challenge the deputy commissioner’s order through the proper legal remedy if it wished to pursue the matter further.