PTI files petition in IHC seeking permission for sit-in, jalsa in Islamabad

PTI filed a petition in IHC on Monday seeking permission for a sit-in, and jalsa in the federal capital.

While PTI’s long march continues its journey towards Islamabad, the party has filed a petition at the Islamabad High Court, seeking permission to conduct its jalsa and sit-in in addition to providing security to marchers.

The petition has been filed by PTI leader Ali Nawaz Awan.

The petition stated that the party has held several public rallies, seminars, corner meetings, public gatherings, and conventions in the past, adding that  PTI is a peaceful party and does not believe in confrontation with state institutions.

It has, therefore, sought the court’s permission to gather the marchers in the capital city and hold a sit-in at the Sri Nagar Highway between H-9 and G-9 area and near the Weekly Bazar — which falls under the deputy commissioner’s administrative control — following the Supreme Court of Pakistan’s decision.

“PTI was not granted a No Objection Certificate (NOC) by the DC, despite having written a letter on October 26 deeming the delay malafide. The party, in its petition to the IHC, mentioned that it contacted the DC again on October 28, but was refused permission citing the act as a sheer attempt to usurp, hamper and infringe the fundamental rights of freedom of assembly, association, and speech,” the petition added.

PTI has also named the federal government and the interior ministry for violating the constitutional rights of PTI at the behest of DC Islamabad.

Furthermore, the Islamabad Capital Territory Police has also been named as one of the respondents in the petition.

Earlier an application seeking permission to hold a sit-in in the federal capital was submitted to the DC office as well.

PTI had sought permission to organize the sit-in between G-9 and H-9 sectors on Srinagar Highway.

However, PTI has not been granted permission so far, as the administration is not “ready to trust the party” for apparently reneging on its commitments in the past.