The Islamabad High Court has ruled in favour of allowing the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to hold a rally in Islamabad, overturning a previous decision by the authorities to deny permission due to security concerns.
Hearing a petition of the PTI against being denied permission to organise a public gathering, the court on Wednesday instructed the Islamabad administration to put forward whatever conditions they wanted to, but allow the party to hold its event.
During the hearing, IHC Chief Justice Amir Farooq emphasized the fundamental right to assembly, stating, "One's right to assembly cannot be taken away. Everyone has held rallies, you can set the terms and conditions and rules."
The court directed the PTI to comply with standard terms and conditions set by the Islamabad administration to ensure public safety during the rally.
PTI leader Sher Afzal Marwat told the court that they wanted to hold a rally in Islamabad, at which the court told the counsel to just make sure the rally does not lead to a law and order situation.
The standing counsel argued that the permission granted to the PTI for rallies in the past had been violated, adding that this time the party had been denied permission due to security threats.
In response, CJ Farooq told the counsel to set usual conditions as there was nothing wrong with that, adding that there should not be any extraordinary conditions and permission granted according to the standard terms of reference (TORs).
Marwat agreed to follow all kinds of conditions.
When the government counsel remarked that a tragic terrorism incident had taken place on Tuesday, Chief Justice Farooq asserted, "Life doesn't stop, it keeps going," emphasizing the need to combat terrorism without halting routine activities.
The court rejected the plea from the public prosecutor for additional time to seek instructions, with Chief Justice Farooq asserting the court's responsibility to make decisions promptly.
