Lahore: The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Wednesday disposed of a petition filed by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) seeking permission to hold a public rally at Minar-e-Pakistan on August 5 after the Lahore deputy commissioner formally rejected the request.
Justice Mirza Waqas Rauf heard the petition filed by PTI leader Mian Akram Usman, who had challenged the authorities’ failure to decide the party’s application for permission to hold the gathering.
During the hearing, Punjab government’s law officer Farrukh Lodhi submitted the deputy commissioner’s reply, informing the court that the request for permission had been declined.
The petitioner’s counsel then requested the court to direct the authorities to provide an alternative venue for the rally, arguing that the petition had also sought such relief.
The court sought a report from the authorities on the issue of providing an alternative venue. After a brief adjournment, the government counsel informed the court that the deputy commissioner had refused permission for the rally due to security concerns.
In light of the deputy commissioner’s decision, the court declared the petition infructuous and disposed of the matter.