The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday dismissed a petition related to Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) protests and long marches, ruling that neither political parties nor public office holders possess the authority to obstruct roads in the federal capital.

A three-member larger bench, led by Chief Justice Sardar Sarfaraz Dogar, instructed provincial chief ministers to ensure that government resources are not exploited for political demonstrations. The court emphasized that government officials must not follow orders that unlawfully compel them to participate in or support protests or rallies.

Officials facing pressure to comply with such directives were directed to promptly notify their respective chief secretaries, the Islamabad chief commissioner, or inspector generals of police. Additionally, the court mandated provincial chief secretaries, the Islamabad chief commissioner, and police chiefs to establish helplines for reporting these incidents.

During the hearing, Chief Justice Dogar questioned whether government representatives, including chief ministers, lawmakers, and other public office holders, have the right to issue provocative statements concerning political protests. Islamabad Advocate General Naveed Hayat Malik responded that public officials are prohibited from making such remarks, while affirming citizens’ constitutional right to peaceful protest within legal boundaries. He further stated that inflammatory speeches are not permitted under the Constitution.

The advocate general highlighted existing laws in Islamabad regulating protests, which require organizers to submit details for security arrangements. He noted that a magistrate can deny permission for protests, and that demonstrations cannot proceed without official approval. Furthermore, he explained that the government may designate certain areas as red zones and impose restrictions, including under Section 144, when deemed necessary.

In a significant development, the court reviewed video footage of PTI protests from 2022 and 2024, despite the chief justice initially expressing reservations about showing videos in court. The Islamabad advocate general alleged that government machinery was utilized during the 2022 protest to remove demonstrators, and claimed that the 2024 protest involved damage to public property and an incident where Rangers personnel were struck by a vehicle.

The bench also scrutinized the role of provincial officials in managing future protests or long marches. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Inspector General of Police Zulfiqar Hamid and Chief Secretary Shahab Ali Shah appeared before the court and submitted affidavits addressing these concerns.

Chief Justice Dogar questioned the KP police chief on his readiness to intervene in unconstitutional or unlawful activities. The IGP assured the court that his affidavit complied with previous directives and pledged that police would prevent illegal actions. The chief justice instructed him to explicitly state in the affidavit that unlawful activities would be stopped and ordered the IGP to disperse any unconstitutional gatherings if necessary.

The larger bench, which included Justice Azam Khan and Justice Asif, reserved its verdict and subsequently disposed of the petition, reinforcing the principle that no authority may block roads in Islamabad during political protests.