Matiullah Jan Criticises IHC Ruling, Questions Government’s Stance on PTI Protest

ISLAMABAD:Senior journalist and political analyst Matiullah Jan has strongly criticised Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and the Islamabad High Court’s recent ruling concerning the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)’s planned protest, alleging that the government could use the court order as justification for taking forceful action against protesters.

In a post on social media platform X, Matiullah Jan questioned Naqvi’s interpretation of the court order regarding the constitutional and fundamental right of political parties to hold peaceful protests. He alleged that the interior minister was using the Islamabad High Court’s ruling as a basis for arguing that there was no justification for protests after the decision.

Matiullah Jan questioned whether the ruling effectively gave the government a “license to kill” protesters, presenting the phrase as a criticism of what he described as the potential consequences of the government’s position. ([UrduPoint][2])

The Islamabad High Court issued a detailed 37-page order on September 18 concerning PTI’s planned September 27 long march to Islamabad. The court stated that political parties do not have a legal right to block roads and highways or interfere with citizens’ fundamental rights. It also directed provincial governments not to use public funds, official vehicles or machinery to facilitate the march. ([Dunya News][1])

The court further observed that officials who violate the Constitution or the law could face legal consequences and that interference with citizens’ fundamental rights could constitute a breach of an office-holder’s oath. ([Dunya News][1])

Naqvi subsequently said the government would enforce the court’s decision and warned that those violating the ruling could face contempt proceedings. He urged political parties to hold protests in their respective cities rather than march towards Islamabad and said authorities would take action to maintain law and order. ([Arab News][3])

Matiullah Jan compared the latest ruling with an order issued by the Islamabad High Court on November 26, 2024, during the tenure of former Chief Justice Aamer Farooq. He alleged that the earlier order had given the government broad scope to use force and linked it to violence and deaths during the November 2024 events. He argued that the latest ruling by Chief Justice Sardar Muhammad Sarfraz Dogar could have similar consequences.

The journalist also commented on the political standing of PTI founder Imran Khan and the Sharif family. He claimed that attempts to make Khan politically irrelevant would not succeed and asserted that public support for him remained strong. He further alleged that Nawaz Sharif, his party and his family had become politically irrelevant in the eyes of the public. These were Matiullah Jan’s political assessments and were not independently established by the court order.

Commenting on the political implications of the September 18 ruling, Matiullah Jan described the date as another significant setback for PTI, comparing it with January 13. He argued that the court’s observations could eventually provide a legal basis for seeking a formal political ban on PTI.

The Islamabad High Court ruling itself, however, dealt with the planned march, road blockades, use of state resources and protection of citizens’ fundamental rights; it did not impose a political ban on PTI. The party’s planned march is scheduled for September 27, while authorities have said they will enforce the court’s directions. ([Dunya News][1])