IHC refuses to stay long march
10 January, 2013
ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday dismissed a plea seeking a restraining order against the long march announced by Tahirul Qadri. IHC Chief Justice Hameedur Rehman dismissed the plea, observing that holding a long march was a fundamental right of every citizen and it could not be termed an attempt to establish a parallel democratic system. However, the chief justice advised the petitioner to approach the proper forum for redressal of his grievances. During the course of proceedings, the chief justice remarked that demonstrations and marches were common in democratic set-ups world over. Shahid Orakzai, the petitioner, alleged that the long march call was an attempt to establish a parallel legislative body seeking to overthrow the Majlis-e-Shoora (parliament), which would be a "direct challenge to the sovereignty of Pakistan. He pleaded that the Islamabad chief commissioner be directed to "prevent any gathering" in the capital for such objectives. End.
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