The Lahore High Court on Tuesday directed local commissioners and deputy commissioners of certain districts to promptly decide on applications from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf seeking permission for rallies, corner meetings, and processions.
Justice Ali Baqar Najafi was hearing a petition filed by the former ruling party following the announcement of the general election date by the Election Commission of Pakistan. In the petition filed by advocate Zubair Kasana, the court was urged to declare all adverse actions against him and his PTI colleagues void. The plea also sought a restraining order against respondents to prevent illegal actions and protect constitutional rights.
The respondents, including the chief secretary, secretary home, inspector general police (IGP) Punjab, and commissioners of Lahore and Gujranwala divisions, along with deputy commissioners of Lahore, Sheikhupura, Gujranwala, and Sialkot, were named in the petition.
Emphasising PTI’s lawful status, Kasana’s counsel argued for fundamental rights, including security, freedom of movement, assembly, association, and speech without discrimination. The petitioner denounced the authorities’ actions as ‘unwarranted, illegal, unethical, immoral, and suppressive’.
