The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has observed that it is seditious to suppress voices of dissent or discourage raising grievances against the state, its institutions or the public functionaries, according to a news outlet.
In a written order released on Friday following the hearing of a petition filed by Iman Mazari against the case launched against her by Islamabad police for protesting outside the National Press Club with Baloch students, the IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah stated that “young citizens, particularly those belonging to the province of Balochistan ought to be encouraged by the state and public functionaries to express themselves and to create an enabling environment so that they may participate in political debates, uninhibited and without any fear”.
The court summoned the interior secretary, Islamabad chief commissioner, Islamabad inspector general of police, and the human rights secretary to justify the excessive force used against Baloch students by the registration of a criminal case.
“They are expected to satisfy the court, having regard to the fundamental rights guaranteed under the Constitution. In case they fail to satisfy the Court, then they are expected to identify the officials responsible for violating the rights of members of a peaceful assembly and the mode for ensuring their accountability,” the order read.
The court forbade capital police from harassing any citizen or causing arrest pursuant to registration of the FIR, till March 7.
On March 1, students of the Quaid-e-Azam University, mostly belonging to the province of Balochistan, had arranged a peaceful meeting near the press club to raise their voice and protest the alleged enforced disappearance of one of the students, Hafeez Baloch.
