No one has the right to occupy Motorways, says IHC.

ISLAMABAD -- The Islamabad High Court (IHC) Thursday made the observation that no one has the right to disrupt commercial as well as passenger transport by staging a sit-in on the main national highways and motorways. A single bench of IHC comprising Chief Justice of IHC Justice Aamer Farooq took up a petition filed by traders against the closure of roads in Islamabad due to protests and sit-ins of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). The petitioner adopted the stance that the PTI protest would cause the federal capital to come to a halt. During the hearing, the IHC Chief Justice remarked that the people who wanted to hold a protest rally had a right to do it, but without violating the basic rights of ordinary citizens. He added that however, no one has the right to announce a sit-in on the Motorway and then block it. The petitioner's counsel said that the containers parked on the roads were causing difficulties for the commuters.

Advocate General Islamabad Barrister Jahangir Jadoon said that PTI's application for obtaining NOC for the sit-in and rally was also pending and suggested that it would be appropriate to hear both the these petitions together. Additional Attorney General Munawar Iqbal Duggal said that he had written to the Ministry of Law for a legal opinion. Justice Aamer said that action should be taken in such matters immediately. The petitioner's counsel said that orders should be issued to ensure the flow of traffic on highways and motorways. He further said that as the federation was in control of highways and motorways it could give directions in this regard and if highways and motorways were closed, trade would also be affected. He observed that no one had the right to occupy...

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