ICT admin revokes NOC issued to PTI for Islamabad rally

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) administration has revoked the no-objection certificate (NOC) issued to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to hold a rally in Islamabad due to “serious security concerns”.

The decision was taken at a high-level meeting chaired by the Islamabad Chief Commissioner. The meeting was convened to review the security situation in light of Muharram.

Officers from various security agencies participated in the meeting; however, PTI did not attend despite being invited.

During the meeting, applications related to the rally were reviewed, and the permission previously granted by the Islamabad deputy commissioner was re-evaluated in the context of the current security concerns.

The Islamabad Chief Commissioner decided to suspend the rally’s NOC based on the current security situation, the arrival of Muharram, and on the recommendations of law enforcement agencies.

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The ICT administration stated that the decision to revoke the rally’s NOC was made to protect the life and property of citizens.

“Maintaining public order in Islamabad and protecting the life and property of citizens is our priority,” the ICT administration said.

Meanwhile, the PTI has announced to challenge the revocation of the NOC in the Islamabad High Court. PTI leader Shoaib Shaheen said that the Islamabad Commissioner lacks the authority to make such a decision.

He further announced that PTI would file a contempt petition against the ICT administration’s decision in the Islamabad High Court on Friday and will hold the rally as planned.