The Lahore High Court on Thursday allowed the PTI to hold a rally at Raiwind near the residence of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif after the party counsel assured the court that it will be a peaceful and disciplined gathering. A full bench headed by Acting Chief Justice, Justice Shahid Hameed Dar, Justice Muhammad Anwaarul Haq and Justice Muhammad Qasim Khan announced the reserved verdict on petitions regarding PTI rally towards the prime minister's residence.
The court, however, directed the government to provide foolproof security to the participants of the rally and take every possible measure with a hawkish eye to maintain peace and tranquility in the entire area. It is the duty of the state and the government to safeguard fundamental rights of its citizens, and the workers/activists of the PTI are not an exception and no one shall be unnecessarily harassed, maltreated or arrested from amongst the peaceful protestors, the court added.
The court also directed Waleed Iqbal, PTI leader, to cooperate with the administration of the district government and other authorities. The PTI had moved the petition praying that the government be stopped from harassing party workers and the police be restrained from their possible arrests. A citizen, Farooq Sattar, through A K Dogar advocate had also filed the petition against the rally which, he said, might cause clash among the activists of both the political parties.