The Lahore High Court on Saturday dismissed the petitions filed against barriers erected on the roads leading towards Idara Minhaj-ul-Quran and observed that the petitioners have failed to make out a case of any infringement of fundamental rights as the restrictions imposed are in the larger interest of public at large. The court observed that constitution guarantees the fundamental rights of every citizen of Pakistan and this court being the custodian of the constitution is enjoying the jurisdiction to safeguard the fundamental rights of citizens of Pakistan.
The fundamental rights guaranteed by the constitution are the priceless treasure of citizens and in the absence of reasonable restrictions imposed by law, every citizen has the right to enjoy them, the court added. The court further observed that the executive should not impose any condition which infringes the fundamental rights of citizens but if reasonable restrictions are imposed in accordance with law then a citizen should obey the said restrictions in his personal interest as well as in the interest of public at large as the national safety and security is prime in all respects, the court added.
The petitioners, the residents of Model Town, contended in their petitions, the act of respondents is creating and causing difficulties for the residents of the area, the officials deputed on special entering and exit point of the area are not allowing to even carry patients to hospital while students are unable to attend their studies. The petitioners urged the court to direct the respondents to remove the obstacles. Earlier, Advocate General Punjab submitted before the court that Article 15 of the Constitution is subject to reasonable restrictions imposed by law in the public interest. The restrictions have been imposed by erecting barriers and placing containers on entrance and exit points of the area to provide security and safety to the residents of the area as well as the residents of Lahore.
The followers of Idara Minhaj-ul-Quran are fully armed and respondents have a reasonable apprehension that law and order situation will be created especially when Dr Tahir ul Qadri is "inciting" to his followers. In these circumstances, the respondents have no option except to restrict entrance of the followers of Idara Minhaj ul Quran from all over the Pakistan.
The CCPO Lahore present in court assured the court that no resident of the area will be stopped to enter the area after proper identification. Only heavy vehicles have been temporarily restricted to enter the area. These restrictions are purely temporary in nature. The court after hearing all the parties at length dismissed petitions.
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