A Pakistan court condemned both the federal government and the main opposition party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI), on Wednesday for their handling of the Nov. 24 protest, holding both sides accountable for disruptions in the federal capital.
Thousands of protesters had surged into Islamabad last week, answering former prime minister Imran Khan's call to protest his sidelining from February elections he claims were rigged to prevent his comeback.
The government deployed hundreds of security forces to Islamabad, where they faced off with demonstrators attempting to occupy a public square, D-Chowk, near parliament and the prime minister's residence.
In a late-night operation on Nov. 26, police and paramilitary forces fired tear gas and rubber bullets at protesters wielding sticks and slingshots, as roadblocks were set ablaze.
After the operation, some PTI leaders claimed the death toll from clashes with security forces was in the “hundreds.” However, party chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan dismissed this assertion, stating that 12 people had died.
Bushra Bibi, wife of jailed former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, and supporters of Khan's party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) attend a rally demanding his release, in Islamabad, Pakistan, November 26, 2024.
Reuters
“You were supposed to maintain law and order, but you shut down the entire city,” Chief Justice of Islamabad High Court (IHC) Aamer Farooq said today while hearing a contempt petition filed by local traders. The petitioners argued that protests routinely disrupt their businesses, urging the court to intervene preemptively.
The chief justice sharply criticized the authorities for misrepresenting court directives. “You publicly claimed the court ordered you not to allow the protests, yet we instructed you to safeguard the rights of all—protesters, traders, and the public,” he noted.
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He added that even judiciary operations were hindered by the roadblocks, stating, “What was the fault of the petitioners? Why were their businesses forcibly closed? Even the courts were inaccessible.”
'PTI, govt both at fault'
Justice Farooq also took the PTI to task, pointing out that the party failed to comply with legal obligations during the demonstration. “If the PTI acted wrongly, so did the government. Why should ordinary citizens bear the brunt of this conflict?” he asked.
Acknowledging the constitutional right to protest, he emphasized that it must coexist with the right to conduct business. “Both rights are essential. If a protest requires permission, it must be sought, and disputes should be resolved legally,” he stressed.
Interior ministry ordered to submit report
The court directed the Ministry of Interior to provide a detailed report on the protest's impact and the government's actions. DSP Legal Sajid Cheema and State Counsel Malik Abdul Rehman represented the administration, with some reports already submitted but others pending.
Expressing dissatisfaction over delays, Justice Farooq reprimanded the state counsel, asking, “Is this your first time appearing in court? Why weren’t your ‘expert opinions’ shared earlier?”
The hearing, postponed until next week, will address the balance between protesters' rights and the disruption caused to businesses and daily life. Justice Farooq concluded by emphasizing that ordinary citizens must not suffer due to disputes between political entities.
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