PTI cannot lockdown Islamabad, rules IHC

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has barred Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf from shutting down the Capital and summoned Imran Khan on 31 October.

Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui of the IHC here on Thursday issued the orders, barring the district administration from cordoning off roads using containers. There will be no rescheduling of exams and all schools should remain opened, the court directed.

The IHC bench was hearing four petitions filed for restraining the PTI from holding a sit-in on November 2 and seeking directions for Pemra not to telecast Imran Khan’s speeches, interviews as he is still at large and did not surrender himself before the court of law that is seeking his arrest.

Justice Shaukat remarked that this should be known to all that the courts are the only umpire here. It appears from Imran Khan’s statements that he wanted to paralyze the government and Nov 2 sit-in is not just a protest rally, he observed.

Section 144 imposed:

Islamabad administration has imposed section 144 in the federal capital for two months and a notification to this effect was issued today. Under the law, gathering of five or more people will not be allowed during this period.