LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Wednesday rejected a writ petition seeking a ban on the upcoming public gathering of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) in Lahore on December 13.

Justice Jawad Hasan of LHC dismissed the petition filed by Advocate Nadeem Sarwar, who cited the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC), PDM, PML-N and PPP, as respondents in the petition.

In a 14-page judgment, the bench maintained that petitioners are not political workers and neither intend to attend any political meeting, therefore, there is no possibility of Petitioner being infected by the COVID. The court termed the plea non-maintainable and dismissed it.

The court in its written judgement stated that the petitioner was not a victim and the matter of permission for rally is pending with the provincial government.

The court stated that all political parties and public must follow the guidelines presented by the government to contain coronavirus and there is no need for the court to intervene in administrative matters on this occasion.

The verdict further stated that the court cannot interfere in government’s matters and all relevant agencies must follow the instructions of the National Command Operations Center (NCOC).

Earlier, a petition had been filed in the Lahore High Court (LHC) against the upcoming public gathering in Lahore by the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), in wake of second wave of coronavirus.

The petition was filed by Advocate Nadeem Sarwar, stating that health emergency had been declared in the country due to coronavirus.

He submitted that the government had closed all educational institutions, besides imposing various restrictions to control the spread of the virus.

The petitioner said that despite these circumstances, the PDM was holding public gatherings and it was a cause of spread of the coronavirus. He contended that the PDM leadership was playing with the lives of the masses by holding these gatherings.

The court was requested to restrain PDM from holding public gathering in Lahore and also issue directions for action over violation of COVID-19 related SoPs. NNI