Punjab government appeals decision to remove containers

LAHORE: The Punjab government has filed a review petition against the Lahore High Court’s (LHC) order to remove containers placed on major arteries across the province in the backdrop of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) marches on August 14.

The review petition states that the court does not have authority to interfere in the provincial government’s security and administrative matters. The removal of containers may lead to loss of life and damage to property, the petition maintains.

Earlier, the LHC heard a case against the installment of containers to block the long march by the PTI and PAT supporters from across Pakistan.

Justice Mehmood Bhatti of the LHC remarked that usurping the fundamental rights in the name of security will not be allowed. While announcing the verdict, Justice Mehmood ordered police authorities to remove all the blockades across Punjab including Lahore.

The judge also expressed anger and reprimanded the Inspector General Punjab Police when he failed to present the correct number of containers placed in the province.

The court, further in its order, stated that if the chief executive of the country has no reservations over peaceful protest then the roads should not be blocked by putting in containers and other barriers.

It may be mentioned that the LHC on Tuesday had directed the police to remove containers from three points around Model Town in order to minimise hardships of citizens.

The court had also ordered Lahore district coordination officer to ensure smooth supply of petrol in the city. Justice Syed Iftikhar Hussain Shah passed this order on a petition challenging blocking of roads by placing containers, arrest of the PTI workers and shortage of fuel allegedly caused by the government.

Also, a three-member bench of LHC had restrained the Punjab police from arresting PTI workers ahead of the Azadi March.