Islamabad - The Islamabad High Court Monday sought report from inspector general of Islamabad police regarding the attacks on Parliament House, PTV building and SSP (Operations) Asmatullah Junejo during the ongoing protests and sit-ins of Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan Awami Tehrik (PAT).
A single bench of IHC comprising Justice Athar Minallah directed the IGP Islamabad to submit a report explaining how many people have so far been arrested for attacking the Parliament House, PTV building and police official.
The bench further directed that in case the arrests have not been made, the IGP will have to explain himself as to why the police failed to perform lawful duties and what action has been taken against the officials responsible for negligence. Justice Minallah said that the persons involved in attacking the state buildings should be given exemplary punishment.
He remarked that it is the responsibility of the state to arrest those who are involved in spreading anarchy.
Justice Athar issued these directions while hearing the Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf  petition against imposition of section 144 in Islamabad capital territory (ICT) alongside Aabpara Traders Association President Ajmal Baloch’s petition against Pakistan Awami Tehrik sit-in while calling it infringement upon fundamental rights.
During the hearing, an additional attorney general (AAG) informed the court that he spoke to the district magistrate and he told him that the notification regarding imposition of section 144 elapsed last day and the government is not going to invoke the same again. The section 144 was invoked in ICT on August 13.
Regarding attacks on PTV building and Parliament House, PTI leader Azam Swati said that PTI had no involvement in the said attacks and it condemned the attack.
Justice Minallah expressed his astonishment over the administration’s passive attitude and said that prima facie it appears that the administration failed to perform its responsibilities and maintain law & order.
He said that it was administration’s duty to arrest those involved in attacking PTV building and breaking outer fence of the Parliament House, damaging Supreme Court building and injuring SSP Asmatullah Junejo.
The bench further said it is surprising to note that even the police identification of the attackers could not procure arrests. At this juncture, Justice Minallah inquired if police have arrested the truck driver who impounded his vehicle into the outer fence of the parliament house.
Upon which the AAG said that the photos of the suspected miscreants had been published and some arrests had also made but he did not know the exact number.
After issuing the abovementioned directions, the court adjourned the hearing in this matter till October 16 for further proceedings.