PTI denied permission to hold Lahore rally
LAHORE:
After the intervention of the Lahore High Court (LHC), the district administration of Lahore finally informed the PTI on Thursday night that it could not hold a rally at the Minar-e-Pakistan tomorrow, February 8.
The PTI had announced holding a public rally on February 8the first anniversary of the last general elections which the party describes as highly riggedin last week of January. In this regard, party leader Alia Hamza had sought a formal permission from Lahore deputy commissioner (DC).
Alia later moved the LHC in view of a delay by the district administration in deciding the matter. A LHC bench comprising Justice Farooq Haider on Thursday morning took up her plea.
After a brief hearing, the court directed the authorities to decide on the PTI's request by 5pm on Thursday. The PTI's legal team was present at the DC office till late night but later an order was circulated on behalf of a District Intelligence Committee.
According to the circular, "granting permission for the PTI gathering on the specified date would not be feasible". This decision was primarily driven by the fact that the month of February is already saturated with an array of high-profile events of national and international significance.
These events include the Triangular ODI series; the 1st Joint CPA Asia and South East Asia Regional Conference 2025; the 9th Faiz Festival; the Horse and Cattle Show 2025; the ICC Men's Champions Trophy; the Lahore Literary Festival and the Raiwind Tablighi Ijtima.
It said these events necessitate extensive security arrangements and deployment of law enforcement agencies. Therefore, on recommendations of the District Intelligence Committee, Lahore DC Syed Musa Raza rejected the PTI's application.
"To maintain law and order situation the Punjab government has requisitioned the services of the Pakistan Army and Rangers in Lahore to conduct these important events in a peaceful manner in wake of recent threat alerts," it said.
According to the circular, the Greater Iqbal Park in which the Minar-e-Pakistan is located is a state of the art park having historical significance.
"A political gathering will destroy the facilities and plantation in the park. [The] past conduct of the PTI [during] different political gatherings [is a testimony in this regard]. The PTI used to violate conditions on such occasions and participation of proclaimed offenders at stage," it added.
PTI lawmakers to hold convention
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) will organize a parliamentarian convention in Lahore next week in a bid to mobilize lawmakers.
Sources said that all PTI members of provincial assembly (MPAs) from Punjab would participate in the PTI parliamentarian convention. The parliamentary leaders and chief whips from Sindh, Balochistan and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa as well as opposition leaders from the Senate and National Assembly will also attend the convention.
The parliamentarian convention will discuss key matter, including the supremacy of the Constitution and law, provision of justice and human rights.
According to sources, resolutions will be passed in the PTI parliamentarian convention.
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