LHC restrains authorities from arresting PML-N lawmakers

LAHORE, August 12: The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Friday restrained the authorities concerned from taking any illegal measures and sought parawise comments in a petition filed by three PML-N’s prominent lawmakers.
Petitioners Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan, Malik Mohammad Ahmed Khan and Attaullah Tarar had approached the court seeking directions to bar the relevant quarters from making their arrest, harassing them and avoiding taking any legal action till the decision of this petition.
The petitioners contended that PTI Chairman Imran Khan in his public address on May 22, 2022, announced “Real Azadi March” against the elected government of PML-N and asked his workers and leaders across the country to reach the Srinagar Highway on May 25, 2022 to topple the government if his demand of dissolution of assembly and announcement for fresh elections in the country was not announced as he believed that the vote of no-confidence was passed against him under the “US conspiracy”.
Though the conspiracy mantra proved false and fabricated by the Supreme Court, they added.
Their counsel implored the court that Imran Khan had directly threaten the federal government and instigated the masses for revolt and anarchy pushing the federal government which was at its nascent stage and was already facing a precarious law and order to handle the situation in a lawful manner so that the life of the individuals could be protected and the peace of the country be maintained.
The counsel submitted that the workers of the PTI after this announcement by their leader started disrupting normal life by blocking the roads, threatening businesses forcing the government to take action against the leaders of the PTI.
In its aftermath, Islamabad High Court Bar Association President Shoaib Shaheen filed a petition before
A three-member bench headed by Justice Ijazul Ahsan had directed the federal government to provide security and an alternative place for the marchers for their public gathering.
It is worth mentioning that the interior secretary and IG Islamabad informed the bench of law and order situation prevailing in the country and requested the court to ask to postpone the march but one of the judges warned their officers to “stay within your limits” and “realise and fulfil” their responsibilities.
The petition said Imran Khan and his supporters dishonoured the assurances given to the court and public and private properties were damaged and destroyed and trees in the greenbelt of Blue Area of Islamabad were put on fire during the party’s protest in May.