SC rejects govt’s request to immediately stop PTI’s long march

The Supreme Court of Pakistan (SC) has rejected the federal government’s request to immediately stop PTI chief Imran Khan’s long march to Islamabad.

Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial advised the government to hold talks with the former prime minister.

‘No one can be deprived of the right to protest,’ CJP Umar Ata Bandial said.

The development comes on Wenesday as a five-member bench, headed by CJP Bandial, comprising Justice Ijaz ul Ahsan, Justice Munib Akhtar, Justice Yahya Afridi, and Justice Sayyed Mazhar Ali Akbar Naqvi heard the plea filed by federal government.

CJ Bandial said the government can make arrangements other than imposing section 144 to deal with demonstrators.

The top court asked Babar Awan and Faisal Chaudhry to submit a reply on behalf of the PTI chief by Monday to gauge if contempt of court is applicable.

Furthermore, the court also refrained from issuing a contempt of court or showing cause notice to Imran Khan.

The hearing has been adjourned till Monday.

In the filed petition, the government said, “Imran Khan is making announcements to attack Islamabad”.

The government claimed that Imran Khan’s call was a violation of a court order.

The government had urged the apex court to direct the PTI chairman Imran Khan to ensure the implementation of its orders related to protests and sit-ins.