Home TRENDING THE GOVERNMENT REVERSES ITS BAN ON POLITICAL BANNERS

THE GOVERNMENT REVERSES ITS BAN ON POLITICAL BANNERS

THE GOVERNMENT REVERSES ITS BAN ON POLITICAL BANNERS

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On the eve of Pakistan’s 76th Independence Day, the provincial IGP of Punjab and the country’s information secretary both refuted reports that they had issued directives prohibiting the flying of political party flags.

People buy flags, badges and other patriotic merchandise from a roadside stall in Islamabad to celebrate Independence Day. PHOTO: APP/FILE

However, the leaving government has issued verbal directions that could lead to legal action against province residents who fly party banners. The Lahore police force has come clean about having been told to crack down on political flags.

News coverage

The news that no political party would be allowed to take out a rally and the news that no individual would be allowed to display any party flag both appeared in the media in quick succession against the backdrop of a rally call by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to celebrate Independence Day.

First, it was reported that Punjab Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi had told the Lahore police chief this, and then it was reported that the Lahore police chief had told his officers this during a private meeting about police formations.

Find out this year’s plans for celebrating Independence Day here.

Credible reports indicate that these orders were communicated to police officers on the ground. They disclosed that the purported ban on displaying party flags extended to include the tops of all buildings, not just vehicles.

Meanwhile, PTI leader Shehbaz Gill uploaded a video showing police stopping a car on Main Boulevard Gulberg because it was flying a PTI banner. Police officers were seen punching several passengers.

The Express Tribune was unable to confirm the authenticity of the footage on its own, although it appeared to be genuine.

The city of Lahore too had similar instances. For instance, up until the time this report was filed, no FIR had been filed against street sellers in Cantonment Division who were peddling PTI paraphernalia.

It also became clear that the PTI, which has been under police scrutiny ever since it lost power in Punjab, was the prime target of this move.

Under whose direction?

PSO to CCPO Lahore DSP Kashif told The Express Tribune that the orders applied to more than only the PTI. He claimed that the police had been instructed by their superiors to enforce a blanket ban on the display of political flags of any kind.

When questioned if there was an official announcement to this effect, he stated that the police have the authority under the Pakistan Penal Code to file charges against people who disobey these directives.

He mentioned that Section 188 of the PPC, which deals with disobedience to an order validly proclaimed by a public official, might be used against offenders.

Kashif explained that raising a party flag during national day festivities could cause tension by dividing the crowd into factions loyal to opposing political parties.

The DSP was then questioned about Pakistan’s constitution, which guarantees its citizens a number of rights including, among others, the ability to freely assemble and speak without fear of retaliation or punishment. He said that he did not have anything to add to the discussion.

The Inspector General of Punjab, Usman Anwar, has denied issuing a directive prohibiting the flying of political banners. He replied in writing, saying that officers’ sole directive was to apprehend criminals.

A representative from the domestic ministry also denied that such a directive had been issued. The legislation, he argued, could hardly be implemented arbitrarily. It was ridiculous, he said, to think that political party followers could be halted in such a way.

When questioned by The Express Tribune, the Punjab information secretary also denied being aware of any such directives. He argued that the attitude taken by CM Naqvi as executive head of the province over the Independence Day celebration was more advisory in nature.

When asked if an advisory viewpoint could be considered a government decision, the information secretary responded that it could not.

However, he did clarify that, following a notification from the home department about the implementation of Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), no political party will be allowed to go out a rally on August 14.

Meanwhile, the Punjab IGP has stated that permission is required before rallies can be held. He remained silent on the topic of an alleged exclusive prohibition.

Article 4 of the Constitution states that no person shall be prevented from or be hindered in doing that which is not prohibited by law. Irfan Qadir, a former advisor to the outgoing PM and a federal minister, has stated that a ban on the display of party flags would be in violation of this provision.

Former Pakistani AGP Qadir said that Articles 17 (freedom of association) and 18 (freedom of expression) would also be violated by such a prohibition.

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