ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) observed Thursday that holding protests and sit-ins is the right of citizens but no one is allowed to hold sit-ins on highways and major arteries disrupting commercial activities and transport.

IHC Chief Justice Amir Farooq made the observation while hearing a petition on the request of businessman against the PTI’s sit-in in Rawalpindi which they say would bring the capital to a standstill.

The laywers of local businessmen pointed out that containers had been placed on major roads to limit entry and exit points of protesters, which was resulting in problems for them.

Islamabad Advocate Barrister Barrister Jahangir Jadoon and Additional Attorney General Munawwar Iqbal Dogal appeared before the court. The Islamabad AG pointed out that PTI’s request for no-objection certificate (NOC) for the rally and sit-in was also pending, while calling for the two requests to be heard together. Upon this, the court agreed.

AAG Dogal said that he had written to the Ministry of Law & Justice for its legal opinion upon the matter. However, Justice Farooq said that immediate action should be taken in such matters.

Meanwhile, the petitioner’s lawyer asked the court that orders should be issued to ensure the flow of traffic on highways and motorways.

The chief justice observed that if highways and motorways remain closed, it would affect trade and business activities. “No one has the right to hold a protest on a motorway,” he said while referring to the ruling of former justice of the IHC, Justice Shaukat Siddiqui, that all such public gatherings would be held in the parade ground.

“Foreigners also live in Islamabad and the diplomatic movement also gets affected because of these protest rallies,” Justice Farooq said. Those who want to hold a protest have the right to do so, but the rights of ordinary citizens should not be affected, he added.

Justice Farooq said that since motorways and highways are under the control of the federal government, it can issue directions in that regard, while merging the petition with the PTI petition.

The hearing on the petition of the traders against the blockade of roads due to sit-ins was adjourned till Friday.