Key Takeaways
- The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has issued notices to provincial officials over PTI's planned September 27 march.
- The court is hearing a petition by a citizen who fears disruption to routine life and businesses.
- Chief Justice Sardar Muhammad Sarfraz Dogar will hear the case on Tuesday.
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has issued summons to provincial officials, including chief secretaries and inspectors general of police, over the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)’s planned protest and long march in Islamabad on September 27, 2026. The court is hearing a petition filed by citizen Waqas Ahmed, who fears disruption to routine life, traffic, and business activities in the federal capital.
According to the petition, the PTI has announced a sit-in in Islamabad on September 27, which could cause inconvenience to citizens and commuters and adversely affect business activities in the capital. The petitioner particularly raised concerns over the proposed participation of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, who, according to the PTI’s announcement, would lead the Islamabad-bound protest.
The petition expressed apprehension that the resources and machinery of the provincial government could be utilised for political activity. It sought directions to the provincial authorities not to involve themselves in any political activity and to confine themselves to their official responsibilities.
Chief Justice Sardar Muhammad Sarfraz Dogar will hear the petition on Tuesday. The petitioner's lawyer told the court that he was a trader who ran a business in Islamabad and would be affected if the protest was brought to the capital. He referred to recent statements by the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Chief Minister Sohail Afridi announcing the protest and presented newspaper clippings containing his statements before the court.
The court also summoned the chief commissioner, deputy commissioner, and inspector general of police of Islamabad, as well as the advocates general of the four provinces and Islamabad, and sought responses on the planned demonstration.
The development comes as PTI stepped up preparations for its September 27 protest and long march towards Islamabad, with party leaders calling on supporters across the country to join the mobilisation. The PTI workers gathered as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi arrived in Hyderabad, Sindh, on September 6, 2026, during a mobilisation campaign ahead of the nationwide protests and long march.
The court's decision is expected to have significant implications for the planned protest, as it could potentially restrict the use of provincial resources for political activities and ensure the rights of ordinary citizens, commuters, and business communities are protected.
