Islamabad High Court has disposed the petition filed by traders against the planned long march of Dr Tahirul Qadri and declared that petition was unconstitutional.
The single bench comprising Chief Justice, IHC, Justice Iqbal Hameedur Rehman resumed the hearing on Friday.
The counsel of the petitioner, Secretary General Aabpara Traders Union Action Committee, Muhammad Ajmal Baloch appeared before the court and pointed that not only the business community would but also the commoners would face difficulties due to the planned long march by the Minhajul Quran. The traders would face economic loss and there are security threats due to long march.
The Chief Justice in his remarks said that if more people will come to the people, then the business activities would increase.
The counsel further maintained that the proposed long march should be held outside the city to avoid any untoward situation. If the long march would be stopped then would create an anarchic situation in the city, he added.
Justice Iqbal Hameedur Rehman said that it is the core responsibility of the Chief Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner to maintain law and order situation and they could allow or disallow regarding holding long march in specific area or not.
Therefore, the petitioner should contact with the Chief Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner about law and order situation, the CJ IHC added.
The court in its final verdict said that under the article 9, section 15, 16, 17 and 18 of the Constitution everyone has freedom of expression and protest. The court cannot stop anyone to protest or not adding the court said that it couldn’t issue any order against long march.