PESHAWAR: Islamabad’s deputy commissioner (DC) on Monday refused to grant permission for a public rallies planned by the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) and ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) at D-Chowk.
According to sources, the PTI had sought permission for rally on March 27 at D-Chowk while the opposition has also requested for a rally at the same venue. However, the district administration refused to allow PTI and PDM rallies due to the imposition of section-144 of Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC).
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According to sources, the district administration allowed the ruling party to hold rally at Parade Ground while the opposition political parties was asked to hold its political gathering at H9 Park. According to sources, the district administration was of the view that section-144 is enforced in the red-zone while there is also danger of confrontation if both parties were allowed to gather their workers at the same venue. The district administration was of the view that it could worsen the situation.
Earlier, the Chief Justice of Pakistan Omar Ata Bandial also urged the political parties and the government to show their strength in parliament instead of gathering political workers on the streets. The Chief Justice remarked that the no-trust motion is an internal matter of National Assembly and therefore it will be better for the political parties to decide it inside the Assembly. “We want all political parties to tell their workers that this process will be completed in accordance with the procedure laid down in the constitution,” the chief justice said.
Justice Bandial further said that no one will be allowed to stop voters by bringing people to Islamabad; therefore, efforts should be made not to hold rallies at D-Chowk. The political parties and government was asked to sit together and create consensus on the issue.