IHC bans protests in Islamabad during SCO summit

By Staff Reporter

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Saturday prohibited “unlawful protests” in the capital during the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit, to prevent disruptions to peace and lockdown situations.

The Chief Justice Aamir Farooq ordered authorities to “ensure that no unlawful protest is held in ICT that creates situation of lockdown or disrupt peace in ICT during the period of SCO Summit.”

The decision came after local businessmen petitioned the court, expressing concerns over the city’s standstill due to protests and government blockades.

“The situation is precarious… people can’t even access the airport or medical facilities,” Justice Farooq noted.

The IHC also directed authorities to allocate a designated area for former prime minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party protests, balancing the right to assembly with public order concerns.

“Freedom of assembly and movement are fundamental rights provided to the citizens under Articles 16 and 17 of the Constitution… However, such activities are subject to reasonable and proportional restrictions in accordance with law,” Justice Farooq said.

The ruling comes as PTI attempts to stage demonstrations in Islamabad’s restricted area, defying Section 144 restrictions imposed ahead of the SCO summit. The ruling administration accuses PTI supporters of resorting to violence against police and attempting to sabotage the SCO summit.

Pakistan will host the SCO conference in the federal capital on October 15 and 16, with several high-profile foreign dignitaries expected to participate from various regional countries. The government has already deployed the army in Islamabad, whose top officials will oversee the city’s security until October 17.

The PTI’s protests have entered their second day in Islamabad and Lahore, affecting daily life due to road blockades, clashes, and suspended metro services. The party seeks the release of Khan, its founding leader.

Clashes broke out between law enforcers and party workers, with both sides claiming the other had attacked them. Police fired tear gas at protesters on Saturday in the capital, while workers used slingshots to hit law enforcers.