LHC issues notice on plea against PAT's anti-govt movement

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Monday issued notices to the federal and provincial governments for February 20 on a petition seeking stoppage of anti-government movement announced by Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) and other parties from January 17.

The court also referred the matter to LHC Chief Justice for formation of a larger bench to hear it, observing that it was an important case.

Justice Shahid Karim issued notices on a petition filed by Advocate Ghulam Yaseen Bhatti, wherein Pakistan People's Party (PPP), Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), Pakistan Muslim League-Q (PML-Q) and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) were made respondents.

During the hearing, the petitioner's counsel AK Dogar argued that respondent parties had announced launching of an anti-government movement in the backdrop of Model Town incident from January 17.

He contended that the declaration made by the respondents was illegal and unconstitutional as it violated Section 5 (1), not being loyal to the state, and threat to form an unlawful assembly to incite hatred against the government, established as per law.

He pleaded the court to declare the action of respondents illegal and unconstitutional. He also requested the court to restrain the respondents from launching an anti-government movement.

The court after hearing initial arguments issued notices to the respondents for February 20 and sought their reply.