LAHORE: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan and other leaders continued addressing the party workers at Lahore power show despite conclusion of the deadline given by the district administration to wrap up the rally at Kahna till 6pm.
Under strict conditions imposed by the Lahore administration, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has kicked off its second power show of this month at Kahna today (Saturday).
People have started gathering at the rally venue, where stage has been established, about 1,000 chairs placed and other equipment including sound system installed.
Today’s rally comes after a no objection certificate (NOC) was issued by the provincial capital’s deputy commissioner a day earlier following the Lahore High Court’s (LHC) instructions which had directed the city’s administration to decide on the Imran Khan-founded party’s request for a public gathering.
Meanwhile, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar and other party leaders including Shoaib Shaheen and Aamir Mughal have left for Lahore from Rawat, while the party supporters from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) are travelling with KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur’s convoy towards the Punjab capital.
Gandapur is reportedly bringing rescue 1122 ambulances and heavy machinery to remove any hurdles on their way, drawing flak from Punjab Minister for Information and Culture Azma Bokhari for “using KP’s resources” for Lahore rally.
Bokhari also censured PTI founder Imran Khan for using the phrase “do or die” for the Lahore rally, saying it would not be tolerated as it gives the notion that they are bringing people for creating anarchy in Punjab.
She said the PTI’s programme of disturbing the law and order situation by creating anarchy and violence was destined to fail, as the provincial government was ready to cope with such a situation.
Contrary to the Punjab police’s claim, some PTI leaders said that they faced obstructions en route to Lahore.
On the other hand, dozens of PTI workers have reportedly been arrested as also claimed by PTI leader Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif who alleged the authorities of creating hurdles for PTI workers through different tactics.
He said blocking routes and arresting workers, despite granting permission for the public gathering, was a shameful act.
Additionally, he said police had impounded the sound system and seats from the venue.
The party has been trying to hold rallies across the country for months but has been repeatedly denied permission by authorities citing security issues and other reasons.
Although they managed to hold a public gathering on September 8 in Sangjani, Islamabad. However, the power show was soon followed by a crackdown against party leaders — some of who were even allegedly “picked” from within the parliament’s premises — for allegedly breaching the terms of NOC issued by the administration as well as the “Peaceful Assembly and Public Order Bill, 2024”, a law which came into effect just a day ahead of the rally.
Authorities set 43 conditions for PTI Lahore rally
The no-objection certificate was granted by the authorities under 43 conditions, varying from a time limit of 3pm to 6pm as well as a prohibition on anti-state slogans and speeches.
Not only has the administration imposed a prohibition on proclaimed offenders and those under trial for hate speech from attending the gathering but has also sought an apology from Gandapur for his “abusive” remarks that he made during the September 8 rally in the federal capital.
The rally arguably holds significance for both the PTI and the Punjab government as the former has time again asserted having the support of the masses with the latter claiming otherwise.
Former premier Imran Khan this week termed the Kahna rally a “do-or-die” situation while urging people to “come out for their future”.
‘Let PTI exercise their democratic right to protest’
Earlier today, Barrister Gohar had urged the administration not to create hurdles in the way of the PTI Lahore rally.
He said the participants would be able to reach the rally venue on time if hurdles were created for them and, hence the gathering could be concluded timely.
Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also advised the Punjab government to let the PTI exercise their democratic right to protest.
“It is the democratic right of PTI to hold a public rally or peaceful protest,” Bilawal said, adding that the provincial government should also ensure the rally was held in a democratic manner.
On Friday night, more than 20 PTI workers and supporters were arrested for allegedly holding a corner meeting without getting any permission from the district administration.
The arrests came after sources told Geo News that the Punjab government devised a plan to arrest “3,700 suspects who are wanted and proclaimed offenders” in May 9 mayhem cases when they attend the Lahore rally.