The Sindh High Court (SHC) has summoned a report addressing the refusal to allow Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to hold a public rally in Karachi, citing security concerns. This follows a contempt of court petition filed against the deputy commissioner of East Karachi and the SSP for denying Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) permission for the event. During the proceedings, Justice Yusuf Ali Saeed questioned the decision, asking, “Why is Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)not being allowed to hold its rally?”
The deputy commissioner attributed the refusal to the absence of security clearance, stating, “The security clearance has not been provided.” Justice Saeed expressed concern over the issue, probing further, “Who is responsible for granting the security clearance?
Why is there a security issue in Karachi? Are no other political parties allowed to hold rallies?” Justice Yusuf Ali Saeed suggested that if security concerns were genuinely critical, the city might need to ban all rallies and processions. The deputy commissioner argued that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) could not be granted space for a public rally anywhere in Karachi due to potential security threats.
The court has requested the minutes of the meetings where these security threats were assessed.
The PTI’s legal counsel urged the court to reconsider a new application for a rally scheduled on October 7. The Sindh High Court (SHC) has instructed the deputy commissioner to review this application and provide a report.
The hearing has been adjourned until October 2, 2024.
