ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Teek-e-Insaf (PTI) party has postponed its public gathering in Islamabad to September 8. That decision followed the withdrawal by local officials of a no-objection certificate and blockades on roads to the city.
The new date was earlier announced by PTI chairman Barrister Gauhar Khan on Thursday. He said that this decision had been taken after discussion with party chief Imran Khan and his resignation was received by the PTI leadership on Sunday.
PTI general secretary Umar Ayub also confirmed the date change. He also expressed fears of a conspiracy by the government to create chaos at their rally.
Soon after PTI announced the new date, an Islamabad administration notification was issued allowing them to march on said day. This contained 40 essential points of the district magistrate about this rally.
The NOC was canceled by the administration primarily after protests from some religious groups. However, they did promise tightened security for the September 8 event. But, they said that the participants also must understand everyone's rights. All the activities should end by 7 PM & people to assemble at exactly 4 PM.
Banners at the PTI rally were asking workers to go home soon after their leader Imran Khan had sifted off, and it is time for those planning a sit-in on May 11 that banners come down declaring generally an end of any political party activity well before midnight? Overnight camping will not be permitted at the site on September 8
It's essential to note that this is only for a public meeting, not even a sit-in protest. Weapons or accessories ie: batons not allowed for anyone. I want to keep Participants happy; if there are any grave consequences so I do not fall into this Trap!
Further, they have to see that everyone disperses in peace without squatting on thereafter!
Before, PTI had warned protests would be conducted without a NOC and the police had stopped the main routes of Islamabad including entry cards as well.
Closure of the roads led to heavy traffic jams on several major thoroughfares such as Faizabad, Double Road, and Chongi No. 26 with people forced to queue up behind long lines that were formed because these routes had been sealed off due to security reasons.
A metro bus service was also partially halted in Rawalpindi and Islamabad!!! And there was an impressive police presence on the detours, ensuring everyone's continued pun pun-making safety.
Entry/exit points of Islamabad were closed and security beefed up tremendously -- even in Red Zone areas! Moreover, D-Chowk was sealed with big machines.
Closed from GT road but opened towards the red zone, Margalla Avenue Is half and open! The containers also blocked streets over Motorway M-2 and in different regions as well.
Although PTI has announced postponing its jalsa, still it will take some days to restore the usual daily traffic flow as those massive containers need to be removed first!
The Islamabad district administration has kept all government and private schools closed for THURSDAY.
Also, they have implemented Section 144 in Rawalpindi to last till August 24th no public meetings or protests be arranged for now.
PTI local leader Aamir Mughal said it was disappointing but "we have not canceled our rally either. Read more: ‘Peaceful political actions are our constitutional rights and we can not be denied from this’
The NOC was reportedly revoked due to security concerns raised in a meeting, chaired by Chief Commissioner Chaudhry Mohammad Ali Randhawa and attended by officials of the law enforcement agencies, on intelligence reports that suggest the Bangladeshi cricket team is already in town.
They were afraid of crowd management with multiple vents going on. We know of course that a few protesters did reach the Supreme Court building just days ago.
So under these circumstances? Regrettably, the permission for public rallies could not be given at this point.
The Imran Khan who has been dismissed as prime minister by a vote in 2022, held his rally in Islamabad on August 22 after all that hullabaloo?!!
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