The Supreme Court on Wednesday allowed the PTI to hold its Azadi March protest near Peshawar Morr between the H-9 and G-9 area of Islamabad and restrained the government from arresting its leaders and workers in connection with the march.
The court instructed the authorities to not make “unnecessary use of force” and not raid the homes and offices of or arrest other PTI leaders and workers. It also ordered the immediate release of detained lawyers as well as those arrested under the Maintenance of Public Order Ordinance 1960, adding that those involved in “heinous crimes” and nominated in FIRs would be dealt with by the high courts. Furthermore, it ordered that the automobiles confiscated within the last 48 hours be returned to their owners.
Justice Ijazul Ahsan, and comprising Justice Munib Akhtar and Justice Sayyed Mazhar Ali Akbar Naqvi, issued the orders after hearing the petition filed by Islamabad High Court Bar Association President Mohammad Shoaib Shaheen a day earlier, seeking the removal of blockades in the capital ahead of the PTI’s march.
“While playing the role of the arbitrator, we pass the order that no raids should be conducted on the homes of PTI workers,” the Supreme Court said. “The lawyers on whom there are not serious charges should also be immediately released.”
