IHC directs DC Islamabad to peacefully end missing persons’ sit-in

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has directed the capital city administration on Monday to engage in dialogue with the families of missing persons from Balochistan. The protesters have been carrying their sit-in in F-6, after being uprooted by authorities from the designated spot of National Press Club. The IHC has also ordered that the sit-in should be ended through lawful and peaceful measures.

During the hearing on a petition seeking the removal of the protest camp, IHC Chief Justice Sarfaraz Dogar questioned the legality of the protest and expressed concern over its impact on public space and nearby properties. The IHC chief justice directed the Deputy Commissioner of Islamabad to “hold talks with the protesters and tell them that they cannot sit here”. He also inquired whether the protesters had official permission to demonstrate.

In response, the Advocate General said that no such permission had been granted and that while the protesters were occasionally dispersed, they kept returning.

Also read: Missing persons: IHC rebukes inquiry commission, govt over inaction

“What is the administration doing?” Justice Dogar asked the Advocate General, noting that the measures taken so far were not adequate.

“What you have done is insufficient. The property of the other party is to be protected,” the IHC chief justice said, adding that it is important to uphold the rights of all parties involved.

The chief justice also questioned the legal basis for restricting access to nearby property. The deputy commissioner informed the court that the administration was willing to offer the protesters an alternative location to continue their demonstration.

Justice Dogar instructed the administration to take “serious steps” to resolve the matter and to submit a progress report at the next hearing “without any failure”.