By 
4-12-24
Chiara Bellini
Team Pakistan Researcher,
Global Human Rights Defence.
On Wednesday, December 4th, 2024, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) condemned the actions of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) protesters and the Government during the protests that took place in the last week of November (Dawn, 2024). The Chief Justice criticised both sides for disregarding the rights of Islamabad citizens, causing a lockdown (GeoNews, 2024).
In order to deter protesters from entering the capital and stage a sit-in to object to former PM Imran Khan’s arbitrary detention, the ruling party deployed a large number of riot policemen, closing several roads down within the capital with shipping containers and forcing businesses to shut down (GeoNews, 2024). In assessing the petition filed by Islamabad traders, the IHC Chief Justice reiterated the failure of the Government to protect and ensure the fundamental rights of citizens, business owners, as well as protesters (The Express Tribune, 2024). On the other hand, it criticised the PTI’s disregard for the IHC’s order that no protest or rally would be allowed during the Belarus President’s visit to Islamabad, taking place from November 24th to November 27th, 2024 (Dawn, 2024).
These criticisms followed the establishment of a joint task force chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, which included members from the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), the Cyber-crime Wing of the Federal Investigation Agency, the Intelligence Bureau, the Inter-Services Intelligence, and the Military Intelligence (The Express Tribune, 2024). The PM announced on Tuesday, December 3rd, 2024, that the Government will establish new anti-riot forces to uphold public order and protect institutions against rallies, protests and other campaigns aimed at discrediting the State (The Express Tribune, 2024). It also promised to enhance Islamabad’s security infrastructures through a new Safe City project (The Express Tribune, 2024).
Sources and further readings:
Naseer, T., IHC dismayed over businesses shutdown due to ‘wrong’ govt action during PTI protest. (2024, December 4). Dawn. Retrieved on December 4, 2024, from https://www.dawn.com/news/1876646/ihc-dismayed-over-businesses-shutdown-due-to-wrong-govt-action-during-pti-protest
Qarar, S., Big blow to PTI as IHC rules no protest allowed over weekend amid Belarusian president’s visit. (2024, November 21). Dawn. Retrieved on December 4, 2024, from https://www.dawn.com/news/1873845/big-blow-to-pti-as-ihc-rules-no-protest-allowed-over-weekend-amid-belarusian-presidents-visit
Shehzad, R., Govt to raise force to manage protests. (2024, December 4). The Express Tribune. Retrieved on December 4, 2024, from https://tribune.com.pk/story/2513627/govt-to-raise-force-to-manage-protests
Yousafzai, A., IHC censures authorities over Islamabad ‘lockdown’ during PTI protest. (2024, December 4). The News International. Retrieved on December 4, 2024, from https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1258054-ihc-censures-authorities-over-islamabad-lockdown-during-pti-protest
Yousafzai, A., PTI, govt both at ‘fault’, says IHC CJ on Nov 24 protest. (2024, December 4). Geo News. Retrieved on December 4, 2024, from https://www.geo.tv/latest/577791-pti-govt-both-at-fault-says-ihc-cj-on-nov-24-protest
Will question PTI about non-compliance with court orders: IHC CJ. (2024, December 4). The Express Tribune. Retrieved on December 4, 2024, from https://tribune.com.pk/story/2513706/will-ask-pti-reason-for-violating-court-orders-ihc-cj
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