LHC denies PTI’s plea for Minar-e-Pakistan rally

The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Monday dismissed Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) plea seeking permission for a public rally at Minar-e-Pakistan on March 22.

Justice Farooq Haider heared the petition filed by PTI leader Akmal Bari, arguing that the party had formally requested permission from authorities but received no response.

The court ruled that PTI must first approach the government’s redressal committee before seeking judicial intervention.

“If the committee fails to decide, the party could then file a petition,” the court’s ruling said.

PTI’s lawyer contended that involving the redressal committee would be futile. The petitioner urged the court to direct the authorities to grant permission for the rally.

However, the LHC Registrar’s Office objected that the petition should have been filed before the relevant committee first.

Read more: IHC orders release of over 120 PTI workers in November 26 protest case

The court upheld the registrar’s objection and dismissed the petition, maintaining that proper legal procedures must be followed before the case is heard in court.

Earlier, the Lahore district administration denied PTI to hold a rally at the Minar-e-Pakistan on February 8, citing the law and order situation.

The PTI had announced holding a public rally on February 8, the first anniversary of the last general elections which the party described as highly rigged in the last week of January.