GUJRANWALA: The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) is expected to pull a massive crowd here on Nov 19 amid reports of defections from the PML-N and the PPP.

Several leaders of both parties will join the PTI during the public meeting, it is learnt.

Former MNA Bilal Ijaz and former MPAs Khalid Pervaiz Virk and Irfan Gujjar of Naushera Virkan and some influential people of the area who switched to the PML-Q from the PML-N some two years ago had decided to join the PTI on Nov 19.

PPP’s ex-MPA Irqam Khan, Kamoki tehsil president Asim Khan and several other leaders had already announced joining the PTI and would give more surprise to Imran Khan when some others would join the PTI.

They allege that the PPP leadership lost touch with old workers and neglected them at all forums and it was unfortunate that the party had not nominated district president for the last two years.

The PTI has also been in contact with PPP’s former MPA Shabbir Mehr and Zulfikar Bhinder but they are reluctant to switch the party for the time being.

Meanwhile, City Police Officer Waqas Nazeer declared the Jinnah Municipal Stadium unsuitable for the PTI public meeting and sent report to the district coordination officer. He elaborated in his report that the stadium was unsafe due to the proximity of government departments, private hospitals and other offices.

The district administration informed the PTI local leaders about its apprehensions.

PTI district president Rana Naeemur Rehman had given an application to DCO Azmat Mahmood for public meeting on Nov 19 at the Jinnah Municipal Stadium.

SMUGGLED GOODS: The Customs intelligence claimed on Wednesday to have seized smuggled goods worth Rs4 million and arrested the suspects.

Customs intelligence superintendent Saifullah told reporters that smuggled goods were being taken to Lahore by trucks from tribal areas. A team set up a picket on GT Road and seized the goods after arresting nine suspects.

PROTEST: Several flood-hit people of Sambrial tehsil demonstrated outside the Commissioner Office here on Wednesday in protest against non-provision of compensation by the provincial government.

The protesters including women chanted slogans against the government and alleged that compensation was being given to few people and the deserving ones were being deprived of it. They demanded that they should be given compensation otherwise they would continue with their protest.

STUDENTS: A number of students of intermediate Part-I took out a rally and demonstrated outside the office of the director colleges for alleged wrong marking of their scripts.

The rally started from a college and ended outside the director colleges office. The students dispersed when the deputy director assured them that he would solve their issue by Friday.

SIKHS: As many as 1,500 Sikhs pilgrims from the UK and other European countries reached Eimanabad on Wednesday to be part of religious events.

The district administration and the police ensured safe arrival and stay of the visitors. City Police Officer Waqas Nazir visited Eimanabad and expressed his satisfaction over the security arrangements.

Published in Dawn, November 13th, 2014