PTI rally request for tomorrow denied by Rawalpindi DC

RAWALPINDI:

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Wednesday announced the postponement of its public rally scheduled for April 9 due to the upcoming talks between the United States and Iran in the federal capital.

The decision was taken during a key meeting of the party’s political committee, where senior leaders including Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi reviewed the overall political and regional situation in detail. After deliberations, the committee decided to postpone the rally that was to be held at Liaquat Bagh in Rawalpindi.

The PTI political committee meeting focused on the political climate in the country, with special attention to recent developments in the region. The committee welcomed the progress related to the US-Iran ceasefire, describing it as a positive milestone.

Participants emphasized that stability in the region was essential not only for the global economy but also for the survival and well-being of humanity.

The PTI spokesperson said the party was seeking not just a temporary ceasefire in the Middle East, but a lasting and sustainable peace.

The meeting members also noted that Pakistan will host a major international conference in Islamabad on Friday, which has significant importance for regional and global peace. In this context, the political committee decided that under the current circumstances, priority should be given to diplomatic efforts and the success of peace negotiations instead of holding a public meeting.

The party founder also conveyed a message through lawyer Salman Safdar, supporting the decision to postpone the rally. This was confirmed by PTI Chairman Advocate Gohar Ali Khan during his speech in the National Assembly.

The PTI spokesperson said a new date for the rally will be announced at the appropriate time after mutual consultation.

Earlier today, the Rawalpindi district administration rejected the PTI’s request for a no-objection certificate to hold a rally at Liaquat Bagh on April 9.

The PTI demanded permission as CM Afridi had announced a protest against the date the party was removed from power four years ago, following a no-confidence motion. Following the PTI’s announcement, a day earlier, the Rawalpindi district administration also imposed Section 144 for 15 days.

PTI Rawalpindi district president Khan Aqil Khan was formally informed of the decision. The matter was analyzed at a meeting of the District Intelligence Committee (DIC), which considered the current security situation and possible threats.

A notification issued by the deputy commissioner said, “Following a thorough assessment of the prevailing law and order situation and recent security threat alerts, and feedback from the LEAs (law enforcement agencies), the Committee unanimously concluded that the requested activity cannot be carried out,” it said.

Furthermore, the DIC in a notification noted that the extensive deployment of police personnel and security resources required to disinfect such a complex area was currently not feasible due to the global energy crises and recently reported government austerity measures.

Read: Rawalpindi enforces Section 144 ahead of PTI protest

PTI founder Imran Khan has been detained since August 2023 and is serving time in Adiala Jail in a £190 million corruption case. He also faces pending lawsuits under the Anti-Terrorism Law in connection with the May 9, 2023 protests.

In the past, the PTI has organized many protests and rallies, but now the party has intensified calls for his release after a medical report submitted to the Supreme Court claimed that the vision in his right eye had decreased to 15 percent. However, government officials maintain that he is receiving adequate medical care.

A day earlier, Rawalpindi police registered a case under anti-terrorism provisions against Imran’s sisters, several members of the national and provincial assemblies and around 1,400 unidentified people following the Adiala Road riots.

According to the police, the case was filed following a complaint by Sub-Inspector Imran Khan, in-charge of the Adiala check post, and includes charges of attempt to murder and resisting law enforcement.