PTI Pakistan rally approved amidst controversy and chaos

LAHORE: The Lahore district administration officially granted the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) permission to conduct a rally at Ring Road in Kahna, albeit with a string of 44 stringent conditions attached.

The decision follows a directive from the Lahore High Court (LHC) that mandated the deputy commissioner to reach a decision regarding PTI’s application by 5 pm on Friday.

Read more: Lahore roads sealed off ahead of PTI rally

Initially, reports indicated that the rally was to be held at Jallo Park. However, the official notification confirmed that the event is now scheduled for Saturday (today) from 3 pm till 6 pm at Ring road in Kahna.

Among the conditions stipulated, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur was required to issue an apology for alleged use of “inappropriate language” during a previous rally on September 8.

The responsibility for ensuring security arrangement during the rally were assigned to the organisers as well. PTI leader Ishtiaq Khan remarked that the party cannot assure Gandapur’s apology.

The official notification also outlines other requirements, including the ’necessity’ of maintain separate enclosures for men and women, secure emergency exists and hiring private security,.

Read more: PTI rally: Minar-e-Pakistan sealed off

The organisers are also prohibited from allowing “anti-state” slogans or the participated of people facing hate speech charges.

The use of Afghan flags and hired Afghan manspower was also banned.

Meanwhile, the use of firearms was also strictly prohibited.

Traffic management was another important point, wit h the organisers requires to “collaborate” closely with the local police and traffic authorities to prevent disruptions.

The organisers were threatened with legal repercussions if any of the rules were ‘violated’.

Earlier, the LHC directed PTI to submit  formal request to the deputy commissioner (DC) for permission to hold a rally in lahore. The court ordered the DC to make a decision by 5 pm, following a petition filed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) leaders Aliya Hamza and Sheikh Imtiaz Mehmood.

The two leaders have complained of being consistently denied to hold a rally.

Read more: Government to shut down 5 IPPs amidst ongoing discussions

Meanwhile, several literal hurdles were put before the rally commences. Access to Minar-e-Pakistan was blocked, where PTI had initially intended to hold the rally.

Containers were strategically placed on major roads leading to the site, including Saggian, Shahdara, Data Darbar and around the railway station. This led to significant traffic disruption.

All six gates of Minar-e-Pakistan were also locked.

Despite the restriction, the PTI resolved to process with its Lahore rally. The political party instructed its workers to remain peaceful and ‘avoid’ confrontations with the law reinforcement.

The party prepared for public meetings wherever convoys were halted, with each Member of the Provincial Assembly (MPA) tasked to bring at least 500 supporters to the event.

KP Information Adviser Barrister Saif stated that preparations from KP for the Lahore rally were complete.