Pakistan: IHC restricts govt from ‘harassing’ PTI workers, leaders

Islamabad, May 24 The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday passed orders restricting the federal government from “needlessly harassing” PTI leaders and workers and issued notices to the Islamabad inspector general of police, chief commissioner and deputy commissioner in this regard, Dawn reported.
“Make sure that no one is harassed needlessly,” the court said, but stopped short from issuing what it described as a “general order” that the PTI’s counsel had requested.
The court’s directive comes hours after police carried out raids at the houses of several PTI leaders and workers, arresting several of them, just a day before the party is set to begin its “Azadi March” towards Islamabad on May 25.On Monday, the PTI had preemptively moved the IHC to res­train the government from creating hurdles in the way of the Azadi March and earlier this week, the PTI had announced the final date of the march and party chief Imran Khan had said on the occasion that the main demands for the march to the capital were the immediate dissolution of the National Assembly and a date for the next general election.PTI’s counsel contended that holding a peaceful protest was everyone’s right, given under the Constitution, adding that police carried out raids at the residences of PTI workers and leaders in what appears to be an act of political vendetta.To which Chief Justice Minallah said, “Peaceful protest is your right,” but added: “You are well aware of the circumstances. This court cannot take responsibility for any incident and told the PTIs counsel that he was requesting a general order, which “we cannot give just like that”.