Islamabad court summons officials in case over PTI’s September 27 march
Pakistan’s Islamabad High Court summoned the inspectors general of police and chief secretaries of all four provinces to a hearing on September 11 in a case concerning PTI’s planned September 27 march. The petition against the event was filed by citizen Waqas Ahmed, who stated that the protest could disrupt the normal rhythm of life, traffic and business operations in the federal capital.
PTI announced a nationwide protest demanding the release of party founder Imran Khan and mobilizing people in support of the supremacy of the Constitution. According to Dawn, due to the sensitivity of the case, Islamabad High Court Chief Justice Sardar Muhammad Sarfraz Dogar had earlier decided to refer it to an expanded bench.
The court’s position
During the hearing, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Advocate General Shah Faisal Utmankhel said that PTI’s march was also being organized in support of the judiciary. In response, Dogar sarcastically thanked him for the intention to strengthen the judicial system and asked whether the judiciary was so weak that it needed such support. The chief justice stressed that the judicial system does not need the support of a political party.
Utmankhel said that he had received notice of the case only the previous day and did not know the contents of the petition. He also questioned the admissibility of the application, calling it premature, and requested two days to prepare his arguments. The court refused this request but gave him until the following day to begin his submissions.
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Statements by the state representative
Pakistan Attorney General Mansoor Usman Awan stated that state resources cannot be used for political protests, even if they are peaceful. According to him, civil servants should not carry out orders that contradict the Constitution and the law, although it may be difficult for them to refuse instructions from a provincial leader. He was referring to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, who belongs to PTI.
Awan noted that a court ruling would be binding on executive officials and would make it easier for civil servants to comply with it. He also confirmed that the chief secretary and inspector general of police of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are obliged to comply with an Islamabad High Court order issued in 2024.
The court ordered the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa representative to provide information at the next hearing on measures previously taken against persons who violated court orders. In addition to provincial police chiefs and chief secretaries, other relevant officials were also summoned to the hearing.
