The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday dismissed a petition seeking a ban on PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif's speeches, noting that the "tendency of invoking the constitutional jurisdiction of a high court in matters involving political content is certainly not in public interest".

The petition stated that Nawaz has started actively participating in politics and has initiated a smear campaign against state institutions, after going abroad on the pretext of availing medical treatment. It urged the court to order that Nawaz's recent "hate speeches" be taken down from the internet and that he should be prohibited from delivering speeches in future. The plea was heard by IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah.

The former prime minister, after a hiatus lasting more than a year, reappeared on the political scene last month to lash out at the PTI government and the Army. Nawaz — who is currently in London — gave a speech at the first meeting of the Pakistan Democratic Movement alliance, where he cast doubt over the conduct of the 2018 general elections and workings of the parliament and has also addressed PML-N meetings where he criticised the government and the military.

https://www.dawn.com/news/1583404/ihc-throws-out-petition-seeking-ban-on-nawazs-speeches