The Islamabad High Court on Monday, delivering verdict on the September 27 PTI protest, has ruled that no political party or office holders have the right to block roads during protests or public gatherings.
The ruling came in a case concerning the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) possible long march and protest in Islamabad on September 27.
The court also directed chief ministers to ensure that state machinery is not used for political activities.
A three-member larger bench headed by Chief Justice Sardar Sarfaraz Dogar announced the verdict after hearing arguments from the parties and the statement of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa inspector general.
The court made it clear that the right to peaceful protest does not allow any political party to obstruct public roads or disrupt normal life.
The bench also stressed that provincial governments must prevent the use of official resources and state machinery for political purposes.
During the hearing, the Islamabad advocate general had argued that previous PTI protests in 2022 and 2024 involved violence, damage to public property and the use of official resources.
The court also heard the affidavit submitted by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa IG.
The IG assured the court that unlawful or unconstitutional gatherings would be stopped within his jurisdiction.
The chief justice directed authorities to prevent unlawful gatherings and disperse protesters if necessary under the law.
The court’s ruling comes ahead of PTI’s planned September 27 protest, amid concerns over possible disruption in the federal capital.
The court also reiterated that political parties can exercise their constitutional right to peaceful protest, but must remain within the limits prescribed by law.
