PTI’s Sept 27 ‘long march’: IHC rejects KP AG’s request for 2 days to prepare arguments

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) rejected the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Advocate General’s request for two days to prepare arguments in a petition challenging the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) planned September 27 long march, and issued fresh notices directing all provincial IGPs, chief secretaries and other relevant officials to appear before the court today (Friday). A larger bench, headed by Chief Justice Sardar Sarfraz Dogar and comprising Justice Muhammad Azam Khan and Justice Muhammad Asif, on Thursday heard the petition filed by a citizen, Waqas Ahmed, who challenged the PTI’s planned protest because the protest could disrupt routine life, traffic and business activities in the federal capital. The court also sought a record of action taken against those who had previously violated court orders, saying that the higher court orders had been violated in the past, and stressed the IHC’s constitutional responsibility to protect the rights of Islamabad’s residents. During the hearing, the IHC Chief Justice remarked that this is the Islamabad High Court, and it has constitutional protection to safeguard the rights of the citizens of Islamabad. This court cannot allow anyone to violate the rights of the citizens of Islamabad. The KP Advocate General appeared before the IHC and contended that the PTI long march was also being organised in support of the judiciary. “Thank you very much for wanting to strengthen the judiciary, ” the IHC Chief Justice said sarcastically, before asking: “Is the judiciary so weak that you wish to strengthen it? ” He further said that the judiciary was not so weak as to require the support of a political party. At the outset of the proceeding, Attorney General for Pakistan Mansoor Usman Awan argued that government machinery could not be used for political protests, adding that no government officer should comply with an order contrary to the Constitution and the law. However, he said that it would be difficult for an officer to refuse an order issued by the chief executive of a province, referring to KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, who belongs to the PTI. The AGP maintained that if this court issues an order, it will be binding on anyone holding an executive position, adding that clear judicial directives would make it easier for civil servants to implement them. Justice Dogar asked whether the KP chief secretary and inspector general of police (IGP) were not bound by an IHC order issued in 2024. The AGP said, “Yes, absolutely; they are bound to implement that order. ” He said that the State resources could not be used for political activities, even if a protest was peaceful. Referring to PTI’s 2024 protest, he said the then-chief minister of KP had led the demonstration himself. The bench then summoned the KP AG to the rostrum and asked him to explain the provincial government’s position. The KP AG said he had received the notice only a day earlier and was not even aware of the contents of the petition. He also objected to the petition’s maintainability, arguing that the matter was premature. CJ Dogar, however, asked him to respond after hearing AGP Awan’s submissions. The KP law officer maintained that orders of superior courts had not always been complied with in the past and objected to remarks concerning the province’s chief executive, who, he pointed out, was not a party to the case. He also questioned the premise of the petition, asking why the proposed long march was being perceived as an “attack”. In an apparent reference to previous IHC orders directing that meetings between Imran and his family and party leadership be arranged, the KP AG said the court had repeatedly issued such directions, but they had not been complied with. He added that “dozens” of contempt petitions had subsequently been filed. He requested two days to prepare his arguments. The chief justice rejected the request and gave him until today (Friday), directing him to at least begin his arguments on the next date. Copyright Business Recorder, 2026

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