On the lockdown in Islamabad, the government and PTI are both mistaken: IHC CJ

The Islamabad shutdown during the party’s demonstration last month has angered the government and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), according to the Islamabad High Court (IHC).

A single IHC bench, led by Chief Justice Justice Aamer Farooq, heard a contempt of court plea yesterday. The petition was submitted by traders in the federal capital who were worried about the possible disruption to their companies.

The court was visited by state attorney Malik Abdul Rehman, Islamabad Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Legal Sajid Cheema, and other others.

Throughout the hearing, Justice Aamer criticized the government and the PTI for failing to uphold citizens’ rights both during and after the demonstration on November 24. “The PTI was wrong,” he said.

Justice Aamer expressed his disappointment with the government for closing Islamabad, saying, “You were supposed to keep the peace, but you locked down the entire city.”

The Chief Justice of the IHC said he would question the PTI on the court order violation as well. The judge said that he will also ask from the PTI why the court’s orders were disregarded but the government closed Islamabad in such a way that even he, as a judge, could not reach.

He insisted that instead of restoring law and order, the government closed down Islamabad as a whole. He further said that the government kept saying on the media that they are not allowing it on the order of Islamabad High Court. .

The court had also ordered you to take into account the fundamental rights of citizens, businesspeople, and demonstrators, he continued.

According to the CJP, he seems to have been the victim of his own command. “What alternative solutions can be implemented instead of shutting down the city with containers?” he asked, questioning the protestors’ frequent disruptions. The petitioner questioned the reasons behind the closure of their companies. Why did they do it?

The court was told by State Council Malik Abdul Rehman that while some reports had been received, others were still pending.

The court reprimanded the state counsel, asking if this is your first time appearing before the court.