LHC orders DC to rule on PTI's rally request by 5 pm today

On the petition of Alia Hamza, a full bench of the Lahore High Court (LHC) instructed the Lahore Deputy Commissioner (DC) to decide on the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's (PTI) request to hold a rally by 5 pm today. 

According to the 24NewsHD TV channel, the court emphasised that the DC should not be influenced by any reports while making the decision about the PTI's rally.

Representatives of the Punjab government, including Chief Secretary Zahid Akhtar Zaman, Inspector General of Punjab Police Dr Usman Anwar, and the Lahore DC, appeared before the court. 

The petition, submitted by PTI leaders Alia Hamza and Imtiaz Sheikh, sought permission for the rally on Saturday, September 21 at Minar-e-Pakistan. 

The court also addressed concerns about illegal harassment of PTI members, which the IG denied, assuring that no illegal actions had taken place or would occur in the future.

A full bench headed by Justice Farooq Haider conducted the hearing on Alia Hamza's petition. Justice Ali Zia Bajwa and Justice Muhammad Tariq Nadeem were also members of the full bench.

During the hearing, the Punjab government lawyer told the court that Alia Hamza and Imtiaz Shaikh did not write any letter for the permission of the rally, it is requested that the appeal of Alia Hamza be rejected as inadmissible. 

The government's lawyer told the court that Akmal Khan Bari had sought permission to hold a rally in Jallo Park in the month of August, but permission was not granted. In the September 8 rally, the PTI leadership used abusive language against the federal and provincial governments, the judiciary, and journalists, he added.

Justice Ali Zia Bajwa and Justice Muhammad Tariq Nadeem inquired, What is the position of Alia Hamza in PTI? Her lawyer, Ishtiaq Khan Advocate, replied that she is a member of the PTI Central Executive Committee and a member of the Jalsa Arrangements Committee.

On the inquiry of the court, the Deputy Commissioner did not confirm the receipt of any application related to Alia Hamza's permit.

Justice Farooq Haider remarked that Aliya Hamza and Umar Ayub Khan, the petitioners for the permission of the PTI rally, were not present before the court. Ishtiaq Khan Advocate replied that Alia Hamza is imprisoned at home, she will appear when the court orders.

Justice Farooq Haider remarked that Alia Hamza is not a petitioner for permission for the public meeting, apply for permission to the DC now, we will hear again, and the decision in this case will be taken today.

--Suggestion of Fixing One Place for Every Public Meeting:

Justice Muhammad Tariq Nadeem remarked during the hearing that this is a country, so we are all, governments come and go, why not allocate one place to the public meeting because when it comes to the meeting, the country is jammed?

Justice Muhammad Tariq Nadeem, while giving further remarks, said that a funeral is going to be obstructed; the sick cannot reach the hospital. He said, What message are we sending to the world? Where has the world gone, but we are still trapped in the freedom of expression.

--PTI Leaders Harassment Issue: 

Ishtiaq Khan Advocate also raised the issue of illegal harassment of PTI leaders in the court. 

On this, Justice Farooq Haider remarked that the case of illegal harassment is intolerable, and the court inquired whether any official of PTI was harassed. IG Punjab Dr Usman Anwar replied that no one has been harassed illegally and also assured the court that no one will be harassed in the future.

On behalf of Alia Hamza and Imtiaz Shaikh, DC was given a written application for permission for the PTI rally at Minar-e-Pakistan tomorrow in the court, on which the court directed the DC to decide on Alia Hamza's request by 5 o'clock.

The full bench of the LHC also rejected a miscellaneous application to stop the PTI rally in Lahore.

Reporter: Tayyab Saif