LAHORE: A new Lahore High Court (LHC) full bench has been formed to hear the petition against the Pakistan Awami Tehreek’s (PAT) forthcoming protests in Lahore on January 17, after the recusal of Justice Irfan from the former bench.
The new bench is headed by Justice Aminuddin Khan and consists of Justices Shahid Jamil Khan and Shahid Karim.
The previous three-member bench was headed by Justice Farrukh Irfan Khan, comprising Justices Shahid Karim and Aminuddin Khan. Justice Irfan, however, recused himself from the case due to some personal reasons.
A petition against these protests was filed by AK Dogar, stating that the political parties should not take part in the ‘grand protest’ as it is against the state.
In a message on Twitter, the Punjab government has stated that since the rally participants are adamant on staging the protest, “they will be solely responsible for any untoward incident”.
In case of any untoward incident, the organizers shall be held responsible. Security shall be the responsibility of the organizers. pic.twitter.com/nsesHSvXRm
— Govt Of The Punjab (@GovtOfPunjab) January 16, 2018
“There should not be exhilaration/hooting in front of the offices of political/religious parties. Also, no speeches will be allowed against the constitutional offices/armed forces/judiciary.
Code of conduct @ the rally:
There should not be exhilaration/hooting in front of the offices of political/religious parties. Also, no speeches will be allowed against the constitutional offices/armed forces/judiciary. pic.twitter.com/M1UoKGvsZV
— Govt Of The Punjab (@GovtOfPunjab) January 16, 2018
No one shall be forced to close their business.
Organisers shall be responsible for any damage to the public property. The participants of the rally shall not be urged/provoked to break the cordon or security barrier,” states the notification.
It was also mentioned in the notice that since the LHC has banned gatherings on Mall Road “holding such a protest on the said venue will tantamount to contempt”.
Traders file petition to move the venue
Traders in the area, in a separate petition, have requested the court to transfer the venue of the protest to Nasir Bagh, as they do not want their daily lives to be disrupted.
The hearing of the case has been adjourned till Wednesday morning.
Educational institutions in the area to remain closed
The Punjab education and Private School Association have decided to keep all schools and colleges around the Mall Road, closed for the next two days, due to the PAT, PTI, PPP protest.
Punjab Education Minister Rana Mashood has said that the government will reopen the schools only after gauging the situation.
Preparations for the protest are in full swing on Lahore’s Mall Road, with the main stage being erected at the Charing Cross roundabout. The stage is 80 feet long and 40ft wide.
40ft on the sides of the stage will be kept vacant for security reasons. Five large television screens from Charring cross to the DPO roundabout have been placed.
Markets near the Mall Road, Panorama Centre, Hall Road and Regal roundabout will remain shut down as long as the protest continues.
