ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court has constituted a three-member larger bench to hear a petition seeking to prevent Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf from holding its planned long march on the federal capital on September 27.
Chief Justice Sardar Muhammad Sarfraz Dogar, who initially heard the case, said the matter was sensitive and involved constitutional questions. He will head the larger bench alongside Justice Muhammad Azam Khan and Justice Muhammad Asif.
The petitioner, an Islamabad trader, has argued that the march could disrupt business, traffic and normal life in the capital. His counsel also raised concerns that resources and machinery belonging to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government could potentially be used during the protest, referring to allegations surrounding PTI demonstrations in 2024.
PTI has rejected attempts to prevent the demonstration, maintaining that peaceful protest is a constitutional right. The party says the September 27 march will demand the “supremacy of the Constitution” and the release of former prime minister Imran Khan. The court has issued notices to several government and police officials ahead of further proceedings.