The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party received approval to hold its major rally in Lahore on Saturday, despite the Pakistani government’s intensified crackdown on its leaders and workers in Punjab. The district administration granted permission after a high court order, allowing PTI to stage the rally at Lahore’s Ring Road in Kahna.
The Lahore High Court instructed Deputy Commissioner Syed Musa Raza to decide on PTI’s application by 5pm on Friday. The party had filed a petition claiming the government was preventing a peaceful rally at Minar-e-Pakistan and arresting its workers.
A no-objection certificate issued by the deputy commissioner set 43 conditions for the public gathering, including a time limit from 3pm to 6 pm. Among the conditions, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur was required to publicly apologise for his remarks during the Islamabad Jalsa on September 8.
Additionally, individuals on trial for hate speech from previous gatherings were barred from participating.
The certificate also prohibited anti-state or anti-institution slogans and statements and banned the hoisting of Afghan flags or bringing Afghan paid manpower to the rally. It specified that no proclaimed offenders could attend, and if present, the rally administration would be responsible for facilitating their arrest.
Imran Khan, 71, described the rally as a ‘do-or-die’ situation, expressing confidence in its success. PTI and the district administration were in discussions to extend the rally’s time limit to 11pm.
On Friday, police took control of Minar-e-Pakistan, arresting 50 PTI members from across the province. The authorities had earlier denied permission for the rally at Minar-e-Pakistan, considering an alternative venue.
Meanwhile, PTI ramped up preparations, with a container ready for Gandapur to travel from Swabi to Lahore. Gandapur was scheduled to address PTI workers in the central convoy in Swabi before departing.
PTI stated that the Lahore Jalsa aims to pressure the government to ‘free Imran Khan from jail,’ ‘uphold the Constitution,’ and protest against ‘unprecedented inflation.’ Lahore is the capital of Punjab province, where the government is led by Maryam Nawaz of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, Khan’s main rival party.
What Other Media Are Saying
- Hindustan Times reports that despite the Pakistan government’s efforts to prevent it, Imran Khan’s PTI party has been granted a permit for a rally, signalling defiance of government restrictions. (Read more)
- ABP Live reports on Imran Khan’s party getting a permit for a rally despite Pakistani government efforts to prevent it, highlighting tensions between PTI and the ruling PML-N party. (Read more)
- Brecorder reports the Lahore administration permitting PTI to hold a rally at a different venue, Ring Road, Kahna, following high court directives and security considerations. (Read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
Why was PTI granted permission to hold a rally in Lahore?
The Lahore High Court directed the district administration to decide on PTI’s application for a rally.
What are the conditions set for PTI’s rally in Lahore?
The conditions include a 3pm to 6pm time limit, no anti-state slogans, and no Afghan flags or manpower.
Where is PTI’s rally in Lahore being held?
The rally is being held at Lahore’s Ring Road in Kahna.
Why is PTI holding a rally in Lahore?
The rally aims to pressure the government to release Imran Khan, uphold the Constitution, and protest against inflation.
What did the Lahore High Court instruct regarding the PTI rally?
The court instructed the Deputy Commissioner to decide by 5pm on PTI’s application to hold the rally.
