Humayun Khan
PESHAWAR: Peshawar High Court (PHC) ordered provincial government for submission of reply in Contempt of Court (COC) plea till 29th November for noncompliance with the provision of permission for workers convention to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), on Thursday.
Advocate General Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Amir Javed, PTI’s lawyer Ali Zaman Advocate appeared before PHC’s divisional bench comprised of Justice Ijaz Anwar and Justice Shakeel Ahmad during hearing. The counsel argued that PTI’s had made request before the administration for holding a Workers Convention in Peshawar today (on Friday) but the Deputy Commissioner had imposed section144 despite other political parties are arranging gathering but PTI isn’t allowed.
Advocate General Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Amir Javed informed that Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) have been formulated for election campaign activities during meeting of deputy commissioners and district police officers chaired by the additional chief secretary’s Home. The political parties must made prior requests for election activities and would follow SOPs in this regard, advocate general added.
In the meantime, Justice Ijaz Anwar observed that Deputy Commissioner is imposing Section144 if one party approaches for political activities while has no problem with other parties because they are busy in election events. He added that equal opportunities must be provided to political parties because its time for elections.
However, PTI’s counsel argued that they had submitted applications multiple times while Jammat-e-Islami (JI) Amir Siraj-ul-Haq had held party gathering yesterday (on Wednesday) in Peshawar. Justice Ijaz Anwar remarked that other parties are holding gathering while ban is imposed on one party and added that PHC wants peaceful and secure elections.
There is report regarding serious threats to several politicians as well as deteriorating law and order situation, AG informed. However, Justice Ijaz Anwar observed that such reports may not lead to delay in polls and added that government had formulated SOPs for election campaign which must be implemented.
Justice Ijaz Anwar observed that action would be initiated against Deputy Commissioner if any party arranged gathering on roads because it is against the SOPs and prior application for political activity is obligatory. Although, Justice Shakeel Ahmad remarked that parties arrange gathering and conventions but neither block road and streets. He added that political parties communicate their motto to public and then citizens have choice to decide.
PHC’s ordered PTI to file application after expiry of Section144 for convention as well stopped from criticizing state’s institutions and policeman to appear before court for harassment of political workers while adjourned hearing till 29th November. Meanwhile, Anti-corruption court Judge Babar Ali Khan granted bail to former Speaker National Assembly in malpractices at Gajju Khan Medical College.
