• Court order says it would be ‘appropriate’ for government to form Naqvi-led committee to engage with PTI leaders
• Belarusian president arrives on November 24 and his protection is of utmost importance, court says
• The surveyed states have been asked to submit a report before the next hearing on November 27.

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court ruled on Thursday that no demonstrations or gatherings in violation of the recent law regulating public gatherings in the capital would be allowed over the weekend, as part of the visit of the Belarusian president, wearing a blow to PTI’s call for a ‘do or die’ protest. » in the capital on November 24 (Sunday).

Jailed PTI founder Imran Khan made a ‘final appeal’ at Sunday’s protest last week, denouncing what he described as the stolen mandate, unjust arrests of people and the passing of the 26th constitutional amendment , which, according to him, reinforced a “dictatorial regime”.

Islamabad High Court Chief Justice Aamer Farooq presided over the hearing of a petition filed by the Islamabad Traders’ Association, seeking that the PTI’s protest call be declared illegal and that the respondents – the federal government, the chief commissioner of Islamabad, the district magistrate of Islamabad and the Islamabad police – be directed to prevent the party from organizing the protest.

The court order said the recently enacted Peaceful Assembly and Public Order Act, 2024 provides that if anyone wishes to hold an assembly in Islamabad, he must submit a written request to the district magistrate not later than seven days before the planned event.

“The returned application shall be processed and an appropriate order shall be given regarding permission for the gathering, the order added.

However, he said the court was informed that no such application had been filed so far.

“This court was also informed that the President of Belarus and his delegation of more than 60 people will arrive on November 24 and that their protection and freedom of movement are of the utmost importance and directly involve relations with another country, hence the broader public interest.”

The order said the court was also informed that while there was some communication with the PTI leadership, “no formal engagement as such was made”.

He added that the PTI had the right to freedom of movement and assembly, subject to the Peaceful Assembly and Public Order Act, 2024 and therefore it would be “appropriate” for the federal government to constitute a committee led preferably by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi to engage with the PTI leadership and inform them about the “sensitivity of the weekend due to the travel of the president of a foreign country”.

The court ordered that the committee should also include the chief commissioner of Islamabad and any other person the interior minister deems appropriate.

“This court is satisfied that as such a formal commitment is made, developments will take place. In case no breakthrough is achieved, it is the responsibility of respondents no. 1 to 4 to ensure the law and order situation without the least disruption to the lives of ordinary citizens and without any violation of law of 2024 is committed.

“As the law on the subject is clear as day, respondent Nos. 1 to 4 will do whatever is necessary to ensure maintenance and law and order in ICT, Islamabad. In this regard, no protest, gathering or even sit-in shall be permitted by respondent Nos. 1 to 4 in violation of the Act, 2024,” the order said.

He concluded that the PTI leadership was expected to take into account the factors put forward by Naqvi during the hearing and engage in meaningful communication with the committee.

The court ordered the defendant states to submit a report before the next hearing on November 27.

Speaking to the media outside the court, Naqvi said there would be no negotiations with the PTI as long as it continued to “issue threats”.

“Negotiations are not done through threats,” he said. “Personally, I am in favor of negotiations with any party. However, threatening us and then asking us to come to the table is unacceptable.”

When asked if there was a deadline for negotiations, the minister replied: “Negotiations are needed for there to be a deadline. Since there are no negotiations, there is no deadline.

The troublemaker must be dealt with harshly: Tarar

Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said in a statement published by state broadcaster PTV on its X account that those who took the law into their own hands would be severely punished.

He said the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Secretary had banned government employees from participating in political rallies and the IHC had clearly stated that security of people’s lives and property should be ensured.

“Whenever a high-level delegation or a foreign head of state visits Pakistan, the PTI calls for protests. The PTI has a history of never protesting peacefully. The PTI follows an anti-national agenda.

“As the country’s economy is moving in the right direction, what is the purpose of protesting at a time like this? » Tarar asked.

Meanwhile, Tarar said statements that Imran would delay the November 24 protest if released were an admission of his “frustration and panic”.

He said there was evidence that the November 24 “call for chaos” was aimed at reaching an agreement.

Tarar noted that the person who had once sworn never to enter into an agreement was now constantly demanding one and was determined to wage war against the federation.

“The only agreement you will get is with the law, which you have broken.”

Bushra Bibi releases video carrying Imran’s message

Meanwhile, former first lady and Imran’s wife Bushra Bibi today released a video speech relaying a message from her husband.

“I have come before you today to convey a message from Khan. Khan called on the entire nation to participate in the November 24 protest,” she said, adding that it was not just a rally for the sake of Imran but for that of the country and of true freedom.

“Imran appealed to judges and lawyers saying ‘I am in prison for the rule of law, so it is your duty to be part of this protest and lead all movements of lawyers of all regions of Pakistan in your lawyer’s uniform and reach Islamabad on November 24.’ .’”

She said there was a lot of speculation about changing the date to November 24 or about negotiations with Imran, but ruled them all out.

“There is no such thing. The date can only be changed on the condition that Imran comes out and informs the nation himself about the next course of action. Apart from this, the date of November 24 cannot be changed at any cost. So if you receive a wrong message, you don’t have to believe it because Khan has sent a special message that the date of November 24 will never be canceled until Khan himself comes to address to the nation.