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Islamabad High Court (IHC) Chief Justice Aamer Farooq has said that as per intelligence reports, there are fears of another attack on former Prime Minister Chairman Imran Khan.
The former premier survived an assassination bid on November 3 when a gunman opened fire on the PTI chief in Wazirabad during the party’s long march, wherein he sustained multiple gunshot injuries.
The IHC CJ’s remarks came during the hearing of two merged petitions on Friday— PTI’s plea seeking a no-objection certificate (NOC) for a protest sit-in in Islamabad and traders’ petition for ensuring the citizens’ rights to access the roads during the prolonged political demonstrations.
Justice Farooq had earlier asked the Islamabad police inspector general for a report on the petition and ordered the interior ministry to come up with a plan to ensure peaceful protests in Islamabad.
It was mentioned by the judge during today’s hearing that there was a chance that Imran would be the target of another attack, citing intelligence reports that were presented in court.
“It is the responsibility of the government and the state to look into the matter,” he said.
At the outset of the hearing, the IHC CJ instructed the PTI to submit a fresh plea to the Islamabad administration seeking permission to stage a sit-in in the capital.
“If the issue is not resolved, a fresh petition can also be filed,” he said, stating that it was not the court’s responsibility to allot a place for the sit-in.
“It is the administration’s discretion if they want to give permission for D-Chowk or F-9 park.”
The administration should determine the guidelines for the demonstration, observed Justice Farooq. “The Supreme Court also ordered the same.” he said.
The court also requested an update on the situation in other provinces and inquired as to whether Islamabad’s roadways were still restricted.
Angry PTI supporters took to the streets in major cities throughout the nation after the Wazirabad firing incident, which led the federal government to criticize the provincial administrations.
“What happened to the directions given to the provincial government by the Centre? What will happen if the provinces don’t comply with the federal government’s directions,” IHC CJ inquired.
He went on to say that protesting was the democratic right of every political and non-political party but upholding the rights of common citizens were also important.
“Even in England, people gather at 10 Downing Street. But they protest, not block the streets.” he pointed out.
“When the SC said they can’t stop the long march, you blocked the GT Road and other motorways,” Justice Farooq told the PTI lawyer, calling on the party to “demonstrate responsibility”.
He continued by saying that the PTI would need to reapply to the administration if it wished to hold a protest. “If permission is granted, ensure that citizens’ rights are upheld and that roads are not blocked.”
The hearing was then postponed until November 22.
The traders in the petition pointed out that the SC this year had asked the PTI for an assurance that it would restrict its protest to a particular location. The petition was filed earlier this week.
