The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) petitioned the Sindh High Court (SHC) on Tuesday, requesting that the Karachi commissioner consider the party’s plea to host a public assembly at Bagh-e-Jinnah.
PTI General Secretary Ali Ahmed Palh stated in the appeal that the party intends to host a peaceful public assembly in Bagh-e-Jinnah on April 28 and has requested permission from the District East deputy commissioner. Palh stated that, despite receiving the application, the DC had yet to decide on it.
According to the petitioner’s counsel, Ali Tahir, Article 16 of Pakistan’s constitution enshrines freedom of assembly as a fundamental right, and this article guarantees every citizen the right to assemble peacefully and without arms, subject to reasonable restrictions imposed in the interest of public order.
Tahir claimed that despite receiving three letters, the petitioner was not granted a no-objection certificate by the DC, and that the delay in deciding the application was mala fide and a clear attempt to usurp, hamper, and infringe upon the fundamental rights of assembly, association, and speech.
The court was asked to determine that the petitioner and his party are entitled to constitutional protection under articles 16 and 17, and to instruct the DC to resolve the petitioner’s case.
The attorney further urged that the court allow the party permission to convene the public meeting at Bagh-e-Jinnah on April 28 in the event that the DC refuses to accept their application.
Maria Ghanchi