PPP workers’ convention in Lahore hampered as district administration denies permission

Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) plans to hold a workers’ convention at Greater Iqbal Park on July 25 suffered a setback on Friday after the Lahore district administration halted preparations for the event, claiming that the party had not obtained written permission.

The move came after the party had already erected a stage and made extensive preparations at the site, with workers scheduled to gather on Saturday and then celebrate President Asif Ali Zardari’s birthday on July 26.

The district administration has sought explanations from the PPP leaders regarding the use of park facilities without formal approval.

The express PAkGazette contacted Lahore PPP president Faisal Mir over the matter, who stated that his party proceeded with the deal “after receiving assurances from the Punjab Chief Minister’s Office.”

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“I was told that Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz had no objection to the convention and had approved the event,” he said.

“Based on this assurance, we have started preparations for the event at Iqbal Grand Park,” Mir added.

The Lahore PPP president then alleged that the district administration intervened and detained the workers after nearly 14 hours of preparation for the event.

Mir said he will stand his ground even if it means being arrested.

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Mir further stated that the PPP hoped that “out of respect for democratic traditions” the issue would be resolved immediately.

When contacted by The express PAkGazetteThe Chief Minister’s Office declined to comment on whether the Chief Minister’s principal secretary had given approval to the event.

Meanwhile, a senior police official, requesting anonymity, said the police had sought clarification on the event from the district administration after learning that preparations were being made at the venue.

He said they were later informed that no written permission had been granted, following which the deputy commissioner took cognizance of the matter.

Lahore PPP Deputy Information Secretary Ahmad Rehman Ghuman posted a video on

In another social media post, Ghuman showed a video of the stage erected by the workers along with the seating arrangement for the convention.

A day earlier, PPP workers entered the Greater Iqbal Park and started constructing a stage without written approval from the district administration. At that time, officials did not stop preparations.

talking to The express PAkGazetteDistrict administration officials said the PPP would not be barred from holding the convention if there is no fallout between the party leadership and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz.

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Sources within the PPP acknowledged that the party had proceeded without written permission, maintaining that verbal assurances from the Chief Minister’s Office were sufficient to begin preparations.

Mir had said that Punjab CM’s principal secretary Sajid Zafar Dall informed him that the prime minister had approved the event, after which party workers met and started preparations on Thursday.

He said the police had also been informed about the meeting.

The group planned to erect a stage 100 feet long and 24 feet wide. PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari was expected to address the workers via video link on July 25, while Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, Hassan Murtaza and Qamar Zaman Kaira were also scheduled to attend the convention.

President Asif Ali Zardari’s birthday would be commemorated the next day with the cutting of a 24-foot cake.

Sources said the district administration had advised the PPP to get formal approval before proceeding.

Officials were reportedly concerned that granting permission to the PPP could complicate the handling of similar requests from other political parties, including the PTI, which also sought permission to hold a meeting in Lahore on August 5.