IHC rejects petition to halt journalists demo plan | Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)

Pakistan Press Foundation

IHC rejects petition to halt journalists demo plan

Pakistan Press Foundation

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court Thursday turned down a petition in which the petitioner had prayed the court to issue directions to the authorities to halt a suggested sit-in by the journalists in front of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) office.

A single bench of IHC comprising Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddique dismissed the petition of Azhar Mehboob, a citizen, who appeared before the court in person in this matter.

Justice Siddiqui noted that apparently, it is mere an apprehension that call for sit-in in front of ISI headquarter may be made by the employees of a media house, as till date neither any such call has been made nor any step in this regard has been taken.

If any such call is made, the civil administration and law enforcement agencies have full authority under the law to deal with the situation in accordance with the mandate of law and constitutional guarantees.
This court in exercise of its constitutional jurisdiction cannot enter into such controversies. Instant petition is totally misconceived, therefore, the same is hereby dismissed.

In the petition, Azhar Mehboob adopted before the court that there is a serious apprehension that employee of the media group may give a call of sit-in in front of ISI headquarters Islamabad. Therefore, the federal government may be directed to ensure that no such situation take place.

The petitioner prayed to the court that the district administration may be directed to stop the sit-in before the ISI office.

During the hearing, Justice Siddiqui observed that ‘attacks on parliament and judiciary were a slap on the face of democratic forces and judicial system of the country’.

He further observed that the government even failed to stop the sit-ins against its own self, how come it would stop these sit-ins.

The bench said that the court does not issue orders on the wishes of someone. Addressing the petitioner, the IHC bench said, “you by advocating the security agency, don’t push it into the litigation.”

The petitioner said that he is appearing before the court in his capacity as a citizen. Upon which the court said that the ministry of defence by itself could adopt measures in this regard.

The Nation