No political party has right to occupy public roads, IHC rules in PTI long march case

• IHC issues detailed verdict on petition against PTI march.
• Says aggression by federating unit against another unconstitutional.
• IHC directs CMs to prevent state machinery misuse in protests.

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has ruled that no political party has the lawful right to occupy public roads, highways, interchanges, toll plazas or buildings, in its detailed verdict on a petition against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) planned long march to Islamabad on September 27.

The 37-page verdict was issued by an IHC larger bench headed by Chief Justice Sardar Muhammad Sarfraz Dogar and comprising Justice Muhammad Azam Khan and Justice Muhammad Asif on Friday.

“No political party, political leader, provincial government or public office holder has any lawful right to occupy any public roads, highways, interchanges, toll plazas, buildings or other such places within or leading to or out of the ICT, obstruct or in any manner hinder the free movement of the citizens, pursuit of trade, business or profession, access to medical facilities or educational institutions within the ICT,” read the judgment.

The IHC further ruled that any person, whether legal or natural, who undertakes any activity which results in violation of fundamental rights of the citizens within the federal capital will be deemed to have violated the Constitution and will be liable for the consequences stipulated under the law.

The IHC issued the verdict on a petition filed by a citizen, Waqas Ahmed, challenging the PTI’s long march on Islamabad.

Furthermore, the court declared that aggression by a federating unit against another or against the federation in any form or manner, including, by way of any march or procession, is “unconstitutional, illegal and unlawful”.

“Any person, authority or government organising, participating or propagating in such marches/rallies/processions shall be liable to the consequences provided under the law and the Constitution,” read the verdict.

It said that the activities of the PTI in May 2022 and November 2024 in Islamabad created serious security and law and order situation.

In view of the PTI’s proposed long march on Islamabad, the IHC directed the provincial governments, including chief ministers to ensure that no official vehicle, machinery, or any other equipment is used to aid or facilitate the people participating in any march or procession leading towards the federal capital.

The court further ruled that the provincial governments should ensure that no public servant is compelled to participate in any march leading towards Islamabad.

The Islamabad administration and the Ministry of Interior were directed to ensure that no one residing within the ICT undertakes any activity which results in offending the rights of other citizens or persons guaranteed under the Constitution.