Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday, November 21, issued an order preventing the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party from holding a planned rally in Islamabad on Sunday. The court cited a new public order law and the upcoming official visit of Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko as key reasons for its decision.
PTI supporters had organized the rally to demand the release of their jailed leader, former Prime Minister Imran Khan. However, it remains unclear whether the party will withdraw its protest plans in light of the court’s ruling.
The IHC’s decision came after a petition was filed by a group of traders, highlighting the Peaceful Assembly and Public Order Act, 2024, which requires organizers to submit a written application for a rally at least seven days in advance. The court noted that no such application had been received for the PTI rally.
In its ruling, the court emphasized the importance of security for the Belarusian president, who is set to arrive in Islamabad on November 24 with a delegation of over 60 people. The court stated that ensuring the safety and freedom of movement of the foreign delegation was critical for maintaining international relations, thus justifying the ban on the rally.
The court also recommended that the government form a panel, potentially led by Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, to engage with PTI leaders and inform them about the heightened security concerns surrounding the visit.
Additionally, the Pakistani government has imposed a two-month ban on public rallies in the capital for security reasons, vowing to prevent anyone, including Khan’s supporters, from violating the restrictions.
Despite the court’s order, Khan’s wife, Bushra Bibi, has urged PTI supporters to participate in a large protest scheduled for Monday.
Imran Khan, who was ousted as prime minister in 2022 through a no-confidence vote, has faced numerous legal challenges since his removal from office. He has been in prison for over a year following his first conviction in a corruption case. Khan is involved in more than 150 legal cases, with several convictions that were later overturned in appeals. He was recently granted bail in a case involving the illegal sale of state gifts, but remains incarcerated due to other ongoing cases.
