The Superior Court of Lahore (LHC) has requested the response of the Deputy Commissioner (DC) of LaHore after the opposition Pakistan Tehreek-E-Insaf (PTI) present a request requesting permission to celebrate a public concentration in mine-e-pakistan in February 8.
The PTI has planned the demonstration to observe a “black day” in protest against what calls the “stolen mandate” of last year’s general elections.
PTI states that independent candidates, presented by the party, had a significant influence on the results.
Malik, the newly appointed PTI organizer for Punjab, submitted a request to Lahore DC Syed Musa Raza on January 29.
After not receiving any response, he approached the LHC for approval of the demonstration.
By chairing the hearing, Judge Farooq Haider ordered Lahore DC to appear before the court on February 6 and provided an answer.
The court also requested responses from other respondents, including the Punjab government and the senior district officials.
Speaking to the media, Malik called the event not only to the day of PTI but the “Pakistan Day”, urging the public to join the protest against what he described as the continuous oppression of PTI members in recent two years.
Malik accused the government of trying to avoid peaceful protests.
The PTI plans to celebrate additional manifestations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where the party has power. PTI will also distribute RS50 million in development funds to the village councils and offer financial support to workers recently sentenced by military courts for their participation on May 9, 2023, disturbances.
In his request, Malik urged the LHC to prevent the police from “harassing” PTI workers and hindering their right to meet.
She described the repeated security concerns raised by the authorities as a pretext to block their meetings.
Last week, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi warned the PTI of strict action if he continues with his protest planned on February 8 that coincides with the Champions Trophy party scheduled in Lahore.
The PTI had decided to observe the black day on February 8 to protest against its ‘stolen mandate’ in last year’s general elections and announced a plan to hold public meetings in the mining-e-pakistan field.
“The Government will ask the PTI to reconsider its planned protest on February 8, but if the party refuses, the State will take the necessary measures,” said Interior Minister during his visit to the Mega Passport Center in Peco Road in Lahore.
He accused the group of damaging the international image of Pakistan organizing demonstrations every time foreign dignitaries visit the country. “Its policy promotes chaos instead of constructive development.”
