IHC rejects KP AG's request for more time in PTI protest case

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has rejected the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Advocate General's request for two days to present arguments in a case concerning the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's (PTI) September 27 protest. A three-member bench headed by Chief Justice Mohammad Sarfraz Dogar, comprising Justice Azam Khan and Justice Mohammad Asif, heard the case and summoned inspectors general of police, secretaries and other officials from all provinces again on Friday. Attorney General Mansoor Usman Awan, Islamabad Advocate General Naveed Hayat Malik, Islamabad Inspector General Ali Nasir Rizvi, representatives of the Motorway Police and provincial police forces, and Islamabad Deputy Commissioner Irfan Nawaz Memon appeared before the court. KP govt proposes top-up health package for employees under Sehat Card During the hearing, the Attorney General referred to assurances given before the Supreme Court in 2022 and subsequent court orders, which he said had been violated during PTI protests. He told the court that the 2022 and November 2024 protests had provided several lessons and assured the bench that he would assist it in determining whether the high court could issue directions to provincial authorities under the prevailing circumstances. Mansoor Usman Awan said public property was damaged during the 2022 protest and 31 police personnel were injured during the November 2024 events, following which the army was called in under Article 245 of the Constitution. He further told the court that no application had so far been filed by the political party, while reports suggested that PTI was planning to arrive with greater preparations this time, including the participation of the KP chief minister. The Attorney General maintained that the high court could issue directions concerning the fundamental rights of citizens within its jurisdiction. The KP Advocate General, however, questioned why the proposed long march was being treated as an attack. He said the march was intended to support the judiciary and requested two days to present his arguments. Pakistan, Türkiye stress joint position on Palestine Chief Justice Sarfraz Dogar rejected the request, saying the advocate general could be given time until the following day and should at least begin his arguments then. The Chief Justice also questioned whether the judiciary was so weak that it needed the support of a political party, stressing that the courts did not require such support. The court directed the KP Advocate General to submit by the following day a record of action taken against those who had previously violated court orders. It also issued notices to inspectors general of police, secretaries and other officials from all provinces, directing them to appear before the court again on Friday. President Zardari returns to Pakistan after private UK visit Tags: ihcrejectsrequesttimeptiprotest