IHC Forms Larger Bench for Petition Against PTI’s Long March
Mian Nadeem | Published September 8, 2026
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) Chief Justice has established a larger bench to hear a petition against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) anticipated protest and long march scheduled for September 27. The decision was made due to the sensitivity of the matter.
Larger Bench Composition:
- Chief Justice Sarfraz Dogar
- Justice Azam Khan
- Justice Muhammad Asif
The bench will hear the case on September 10.
Notices Issued:
Given the sensitive nature, notices have been sent to:
- IGs of all four provinces
- Attorney General
- Chief Secretaries
Petition Arguments:
Petitioner Waqas Ahmed’s counsel argued that as a businessman operating in Islamabad, he and other citizens could face disruptions due to PTI’s planned protest. They cited potential impact on business activities and traffic congestion during the march.
Counsel presented statements from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister regarding the protest, along with newspaper clippings highlighting past protests’ consequences:
- Three Rangers personnel were killed in a 2024 protest attempt.
- A newspaper report estimated financial losses at crores of rupees due to a previous protest.
- They emphasized that exerting pressure on state institutions through protests is unacceptable.
Legal Context:
Counsel referred to legal provisions regarding protests in Islamabad and maintained that the government has the authority to impose restrictions for maintaining law and order. They also presented a Ministry of Interior letter dated November 21, 2024, regarding protest management.
They concluded by referencing the ‘190 million pound case’, suggesting past instances where protests led to significant legal ramifications.
