ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) summoned the chief of Islamabad police over a petition moved by traders against proposed sit-ins and roadblocks in the capital.
Aamer Farooq, chief judge at the high court, while hearing the petition on Monday, ordered Akbar Nasir Khan to submit a report on the protests by November 17.
Shabbir Khattak, joint secretary at the Ministry of Interior, appeared in the court hearing.
“Motorway is a federal subject, why is the government not opening the highway for the public,” the judge questioned. “The law and order is the provincial government’s matter […] it is blocked [by the provinces],” Munawar Iqbal Duggal, an additional attorney general representing the government, responded.
“Protests are also staged before the Parliament, why do you block roads then,” Justice Farooque asked. “Containers are placed in Islamabad as if these are unusual circumstances,” he remarked.
“Why you are placing containers instead of constituting an efficient anti-riot force,” he further questioned. “Why don’t you take some other steps instead of placing containers on roads.”
Barrister Sardar Umar Aslam represented traders in the court.
Traders pleaded to the court that during the protests, students have been unable to attend schools and colleges, people unable to attend their offices and the worst is happening with daily wagers as they have been deprived of their right to earn a livelihood.
