Islamabad High Court has disposed off a petition filed by traders against Qadri’s long march and has declared the petition unconstitutional.
The single Bench comprising Chief Justice Iqbal Hameedur Rehman resumed the hearing on Friday.
The petitioner’s counsel Aabpara Traders Union Action Committee Secretary General Ajmal Baloch appeared before the court and said that not only the business community, but common people would also face difficulties due to the planned long march. The traders would face economic loss and there were security threats due to the march, he added.
The chief justice said an influx of people in the capital would actually serve to increase business.
The counsel maintained that the proposed long march should be held outside the city to avoid any untoward situation. It could create an anarchic situation in the city, he said.
Justice Rehman said it was the responsibility of the chief commissioner and deputy commissioner to maintain the law and order situation, and only they could decide the location for the march. Therefore, the petitioner should contact these authorities, the CJ added.
The court said that under Article-9, section 15, 16, 17 and 18 of the Constitution, everyone had freedom of expression and protest.
The court could not stop anyone from protesting.
