IHC rejects plea against JUI-F chief in hate speech

ISLAMABAD (92 News) – The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday has rejected the petition against Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-F (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman for hate speech against institutions. Islamabad High Court (IHC) Chief Justice Athar Manullah heard the petition against JUI-F chief. The petition was filed by Advocate Shah Jehan in which he maintained that Maulana Fazlur Rehman tried to incite the people against state institutions. During the hearing, Justice Athar Manullah remarked that there is no impact of these speeches. “Everyone can speak whatever he wants,” he added. He also said that the negative propaganda is also continued against Maulana Fazlur Rehman in the social media. Later, the court declared the plea against the JUI-F chief as invalid for hearing. On October 16, the IHC rejected all petitions against the JUI-F’s anti-government ‘Azadi March’ and remarked that no court in the world can abolish the right of demonstration. Earlier, government had formed a committee to hold talks with the Jamiat Ulema Islam-Fazal (JUI-F) for stopping the Azadi March.The decision was made during a meeting of the PTI’s Core Committee. Prime Minister Imran Khan had said that the government will listen to the justified demands of the opposition. “The country cannot afford any sit-in,” he said.He said that currently the country was facing several threats. On the other hand, the Punjab government will launch a crackdown to stop Azadi March on October 24. The Punjab government has put the police on high alert. Large-scale arrests of the opposition leaders and workers will be made in the federal capital and three provinces. The authorities have finalized lists of leaders and workers to be arrested. On the other hand, the government has placed containers at NADRA Chowk to stop the participants from marching towards Red Zone. The Khyber Paktunkhwa government has shifted the containers to Swabi Interchange, Attock Bridge and GT Road, Peshawar. The roads will be blocked on October 27. Moreover, the police have started taking vehicles in custody to stop the Azadi March.