The Sindh High Court has allowed time to the deputy commissioner east to submit a reply to the petition regarding the permission to PTI to hold a rally near the mausoleum of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.
A two-member bench of SHC headed by Chief Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi, heard the petition. The CJ expressed anger and remarked that what answer have you submitted? The court questioned the deputy commissioner if he had a good idea. The DC said that the permission of the ground in front of Mazar-e-Quaid is the responsibility of Mazar-e-Quaid administration and others. Chief Justice remarked that you are probably misinterpreting.
Barrister Ali Tahir stated that gatherings of People's Party, MQM and other parties have been taking place at the same ground. Wrong decisions were made in the past or it is being misinterpreted now.
The DC said that they have nothing to do with this place. The federation or the administration of Mazar-e-Quaid is the authority to give the permission. They have contacted the federation, Mazar-e-Quaid administration, police and other institutions in this regard. After receiving their reply, they will decide to grant permission.
The Chief Justice asked Barrister Ali Tahir to hold the gathering somewhere else. Barrister Ali Tahir gave a stand and said that elsewhere the administration makes excuses for traffic and other issues.
The court adjourned the hearing till May 2, giving time to the deputy commissioner to submit his reply.
The petitioner's counsel submitted that the jalsa is on April 28. Chief Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi said that they should hold the jalsa later, it is not necessary to hold the jalsa on April 28 only. Later, on the request of the lawyers, the court adjourned the hearing till April 26.
Speaking to the media after the hearing, PTI leader Haleem Adil Shaikh said that first they sought permission for the jalsa on the 22nd, then 26th and now the 28th but the administration and civil servants of PPP are misguiding the courts. Fake mandate holders are afraid. "We have adopted the constitutional procedure and sought permission for the rally. The issue of the jalsa has not been finalised yet. The arrest of our workers has started once again. The practice Mohsin Naqvi is doing in Punjab, Murad Ali Shah is doing the same in Sindh."
Barrister Ali Tahir said that a joke is being made regarding the permission. The court is also being misled on the issue of permission for public gathering. Holding jalsa is our right, which cannot be changed. Rallies have been held on this ground by all other political parties.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 20th, 2024.
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