GUJRAT: The district administration has granted permission to the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf to hold its public meeting at the Zahoor Elahi Stadium on Oct 24, but with certain conditions.

The PTI has been insisting to hold the public meeting to be addressed by its chief Imran Khan in the stadium, which according to the district administration, lacks the capacity to accommodate the large number of people expected to attend the event.

Instead, the PTI was offered the cricket grounds of the Swedish Pakistani College of Technology located along the GT road for the purpose.

PTI district president, along with a delegation of local leaders, had a joint meeting with the District Coordination Officer Liaquat Ali Chattha and District Police Officer Rai Ijaz Ahmed to formally seek the permission at the district government complex.

Following the meeting, both the sides paid a joint visit to both the proposed venues to inspect them and later on again discussed the matter.

Finally the PTI got the permission but with the condition that all the eight gates of the stadium would remain open during the event to avert stampede, whereas two emergency exits would also be made.

The party would also be responsible for any damage done to the stadium.

It was decided that the PTI would provide 300 to 500 volunteers to be deputed for security purpose, along with the police at the main entrances of the stadium.

Besides, the administration would also install at least six stalls of drinking water for the participants.

Published in Dawn, October 21st, 2014