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The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has formed a larger bench to hear a petition challenging the PTI September 27 protest and planned march towards Islamabad.
The court will hear the case on September 10.
Chief Justice Sardar Sarfraz Dogar, Justice Azam Khan and Justice Muhammad Asif will hear the petition.
Given the sensitivity of the case, the court also issued a notice to the Attorney General for Pakistan.
The IHC summoned the inspectors general of police, advocates general and chief secretaries from all four provinces. They must appear before the court in person on September 10.
The court also summoned Islamabad’s chief commissioner, deputy commissioner and inspector general of police.
Chief Justice Dogar was initially hearing the petition filed by citizen Waqas Ahmed.
The petitioner’s lawyer told the court that his client runs a business in Islamabad. He argued that the planned protest could affect his business activities.
The chief justice questioned how the petitioner qualified as an affected party.
The lawyer argued that the planned arrival of protesters in Islamabad directly affected his client. He cited recent statements by Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi and presented newspaper reports to the court.
He also argued that courts already have jurisdiction over the legal matters cited by PTI. In his view, political parties should not use street protests to pressure courts for relief.
The lawyer referred to PTI’s previous attempt to enter Islamabad in 2024.
He claimed that three Rangers personnel died during that protest. He questioned how the deaths occurred if protesters were unarmed, as he alleged PTI supporters had claimed.
The lawyer also cited a newspaper report that estimated losses from the previous protest at around Rs240 million.
He questioned why similar allegations repeatedly target PTI rather than other political parties.
The lawyer also said he had previously represented prisoners in another petition but did not receive similar relief.
He acknowledged that the Constitution protects the right to peaceful protest. However, he argued that authorities can impose lawful restrictions.
The lawyer then read relevant legislation governing protests in Islamabad.
Chief Justice Dogar asked whether K-P Chief Minister Sohail Afridi and government machinery would accompany the protesters.
“Yes, absolutely,” the lawyer replied.
He presented a Ministry of Interior letter dated November 21, 2024. He alleged that government machinery had still supported PTI’s previous attempt to enter Islamabad.
The lawyer also told the court that organisers had not submitted an application to Islamabad’s district magistrate for the planned protest.
He said the demonstration would support PTI founder Imran Khan, who remains imprisoned in several cases.
The lawyer referred specifically to the £190 million Al-Qadir Trust case and other matters pending before the IHC.
The lawyer referred to proceedings in the £190 million case. He said the court had repeatedly asked Imran Khan to advance arguments in his appeal.
He argued that large street demonstrations should not influence judicial proceedings.
“If they bring two million people, can the government direct the court to suspend the sentences in the appeals?” he asked.
The lawyer stressed the constitutional principle of judicial independence.
He also referred to a planned march in Sindh and said local authorities had indicated that they would facilitate it.
After hearing the arguments, Chief Justice Dogar decided that the sensitive matter required consideration by a larger bench.
The court then issued notices to federal and provincial authorities.
The chief secretaries and police chiefs of Punjab, Sindh, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan must appear before the court.
The advocates general of the provinces and Islamabad must also attend the hearing.
PTI has announced the September 27 protest and Islamabad march to demand the release of Imran Khan.
The party plans to bring a central convoy from Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. Supporters from other parts of the country are expected to join the movement.
Under the preliminary strategy announced in August, PTI planned to bring workers to K-P at least five days before the march.
The main convoy was expected to gather near the Punjab-K-P border for two to three days. It would then move towards Islamabad after other caravans joined.
PTI also planned protests and shutdowns in Lahore, Karachi, Hyderabad and Quetta. The party also discussed demonstrations along major national highways.
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K-P Chief Minister Sohail Afridi stepped up the mobilisation campaign during his visit to Karachi.
Speaking at a convention organised under the Sindh High Court Bar Association, Afridi urged supporters to join the September 27 movement.
He called on people in Sindh to participate in protests rather than travel to Islamabad.
Afridi also called for Karachi to remain closed for a week. He described the planned mobilisation as a movement against what he called an unjust political system.
The chief minister criticised restrictions placed on his convoy during its journey to Karachi. He alleged that authorities placed containers along the route and arrested PTI workers.
PTI’s August strategy also included a financial and organisational structure for the planned protest.
Party Secretary-General Salman Akram Raja was tasked with overseeing finances. Lawmakers were directed to mobilise supporters in their constituencies.
According to the party’s estimates, the first day of the march could cost around Rs450 million.
PTI estimated additional daily expenses at approximately Rs14.5 million.
The party also sought financial contributions from lawmakers and other senior figures to support the campaign.
The IHC hearing on September 10 is expected to provide further clarity on the legal challenges surrounding the planned PTI September 27 protest and the authorities’ preparations for the event.
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