However, the Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) proceeded with its demonstration despite the arrest of several party supporters by the capital police during the protest against inflated utility bills and rising inflation.

In Islamabad, the district administration imposed Section 144, a legal provision which empowers district administrations to prohibit an assembly of four or more people in an area for a limited period.

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As a result, the PTI sought permission for a protest from the Islamabad High Court (IHC). However, the court advised the capital administration to allow the political party to hold a protest demonstration on July 29.

In compliance with the court direction, PTI Islamabad President Amir Masood Mughal issued a video message on the X platform and announced that the party had called off its protest and scheduled it for Monday after the court’s hearing.

“We approached the deputy commissioner of Islamabad on July 23 regarding our protest in Islamabad, but there was no decision taken. On July 24, we appealed to the [Islamabad] high court following which the honorable judge suggested [the local administration] allow our protest on Monday,” he said.

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“In view of the [court’s decision], we are postponing today’s protest,” he added.

IHC’s Justice Saman Rafat Imtiaz urged the capital administration to allow the PTI to hold a protest on July 29 as she heard the party’s petition seeking permission for today’s planned demonstration.

Islamabad High Court (IHC) Chief Justice Aamer Farooq had set aside the deputy commissioner’s (DC) July 5 order, which had turned down the PTI’s request to hold a rally in the capital on July 6 citing law and order situation due to Muharram.

Justice Farooq had also ordered the DC to decide on the PTI request in accordance with the law by treating it as pending.