Proposed sit-in: PAT directed to act in accordance with law

LAHORE, Aug 15 (APP): The Lahore High Court (LHC) on
Tuesday, hearing a petition against Pakistan Awami Tehreek’s
(PAT) proposed sit-in at The Mall, directed the party to act
in accordance with the law and abide by commitment made by its
counsel.
Justice Mamoon Rashid Sheikh passed these orders while
hearing a petition, filed by Naeem Mir, Secretary General, The
Mall Traders Association against PAT’s step of staging a
sit-in at The Mall.
During the hearing, the petitioner’s counsel Asad Manzoor
Butt, arguing before the court, submitted that the court had
imposed a ban on staging rallies at The Mall, but despite
that, rallies were being staged.
He pointed out that in another case regarding implementation
of the ban on rallies at The Mall, a provincial law officer assured
the court that all steps would be taken to ensure the ban at The Mall. However, after a few days, Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri staged a rally on The Mall
on August 8, which kept the road closed for many hours.
He said that the PAT leadership had announced staging a sit-in
at The Mall on August 16, with a demand to make public the Model Town Inquiry Commission report.
He contended that the step would not only affect the business
activities but also cause problems for people.
He pleaded with the court to issue directions for implementation
of the ban on rallies at The Mall.
To a court query, the Punjab advocate general submitted that
Section 144 had been imposed at The Mall and action would be taken
if any violation was committed.
However, Advocate Ishtiaq Chaudhry, on behalf of the PAT,
apprised the court that the PAT was planning to hold a demonstration
at The Mall on August 16 but the venue (Faisal Chowk/Charing Cross)
had been changed. He further stated that the proposed sit-in would be
held in or around Nasir Bagh but the exact location of the venue was
still not decided yet. He prayed the court to grant time for seeking instructions from the party.
At this, the court sought reply from the PAT till August 16 and
directed the party to act in accordance with the law and abide by commitment made by its counsel.