ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has ordered the immediate reopening of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Central Secretariat. Additionally, the court directed the party to install fire safety measures at the Central Secretariat within a week. In its written order, the court declared the Capital Development Authority’s (CDA) sealing of the PTI office as null and void.
The IHC noted that PTI had agreed with CDA to install fire extinguishing equipment, fire pumps on the roof, and a separate water tank at the Central Secretariat. PTI has also been directed by the IHC to install a manual alarm system, gas detectors for kitchen safety, and post emergency numbers to prevent any untoward incidents. Furthermore, the IHC instructed PTI to ensure regular electrical wiring in the building.
PTI Secretary General Omar Ayub had challenged the Municipal Corporation’s decision to seal the party’s Islamabad office in the IHC. Law enforcement agencies previously conducted a raid on the PTI Secretariat based on concrete evidence, alleging that the office operated as the hub of an international disinformation network through its digital media center.
The raid, which followed information from an international social media activist associated with the party, resulted in the seizure of computers and records by Islamabad police, which are now part of an ongoing investigation.
Prior to the court’s decision, the CDA had sealed the office, located in Islamabad’s G-8 sector, for ‘violating building rules.’ As part of an anti-encroachment operation, a portion of the party headquarters was demolished, and the office was sealed. However, following the IHC’s orders, the PTI Central Secretariat has been reopened.
