A lawyer has filed a petition in Lahore High Court (LHC) challenging the sit-in on Mall Road by Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) which is to be held on June 17, to mark the second anniversary of the Model Town tragedy.
Advocate Chaudhry Shoaib Saleem, in his petition stated that the city district government has already imposed section 144 on Mall Road and no procession or sit-in can be held on the road.
He said the ban has been imposed in view of problems faced by business community and others due to frequent rallies and protests on the road.
He stated that there is a feeling of anxiety among traders, lawyers and citizens since the party has announced its protest on Mall Road, a main thoroughfare of the city. The lawyer pleaded that staging protest is a constitutional right of the PAT but fundamental rights of others cannot be usurped in the name of the right to protest.
He prayed the court to order the Punjab and district governments to ensure the enforcement of section 144 on Mall Road and make sure that PAT is not allowed to hold sit-in on the road. He further requested the court to direct the government to reserve an open area aside from the road, where the protest can be held, so that ordinary people do not have to face problems.