A full bench of the Lahore High Court here on Wednesday directed the government to remove containers from roads and allow people to exercise their right to protest. The bench upheld its earlier order issued on Wednesday by dismissing the review petition of Punjab government and observed that it is the right of the people.
During the hearing of a case against the arrest of PTI and PAT supporters, a full bench of the high court headed by Justice Mahmood Ahmad Bhatti said that it will not allow violation of anyone's rights in the name of security. The bench also ordered the government to ensure provision of fuel across the province and that it must not harass any PTI activist.
Earlier, when court questioned the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Punjab if he had passed any order for the placement of containers on roads, he said that he did not issue any order as it was the decision of the district police to take such a decision. The court remarked how all district heads of the police in the province decided together to use only containers to block roads. The court also asked the IGP to inform the court about the number of containers being used for this purpose. After which, the IGP sought one hour to obtain information from across the province. The judge remarked: what is the use of an IGP who has no co-ordination with his subordinates? The government can appoint some other person for this post, the court remarked. The IGP, however, contended before the court that more than 200 police officials were injured during the performance of their duty to control untoward incidents.
The court remarked that these containers belong to private people and these are placed without making any payment. The court said no order can be brought on record and no container owner will file any petition against confiscation of his property fearing that his business would be ruined. During the hearing, PTI lawyer Ahmed Awais said that the march will take place between Zero Point and Kashmir Point and explained that PTI workers are "peaceful people" and will not disrupt the peace of the city.
The court remarked that on August 10, people were seen crawling under containers. The bench therefore directed the government to remove containers by 2.00pm. The government, however, filed a review petition which was taken up by the court same day at 5:30pm. The court after hearing the arguments, upheld its earlier order and dismissed the review petition of the government.