The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday directed the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) Administration to submit, till September 2, no-objection-certificates (NOCs) issued to Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) for holding sit-ins on the Constitution Avenue.
A single bench of Justice Athar Minnallah heard a petition filed by Mohammad Ajmal Baloch, president All Pakistan Anjuman-e-Tajran against PAT chief Dr Tahirul Qadri and PTI chief Imran Khan for allegedly violating fundamental rights of the public in general and the traders at large. Justice Athar remarked that after examining the NOC, the court could ascertain liability for violation of fundamental rights of other citizens and loss to economy due to the sit-ins.
He observed that due to the sit-ins, schools, offices, roads and businesses had been paralysed. The sit-ins are also affecting the environment, causing serious health hazards for the residents, he added. Justice Athar said though holding protest is a constitutional right, but it should not be at the cost of the routine life of the citizens and traders.