RAWALPINDI: The ruling PML-N and Sheikh Rashid’s Awami Muslim League (AML) have been refused permission to hold rallies and public meetings on the eve of Independence Day, but both parties say they will go ahead regardless.

Meanwhile, the PTI’s application for permission to hold its rally is still pending with the Punjab government. While the other two parties planned to hold their events in Rawalpindi, PTI’s rally will originate in Rawalpindi and culminate in Islamabad.

The City District Government Rawalpindi (CDGR) on Thursday imposed a ban on rallies, public meetings and gatherings in the district due to security reasons. The decision was taken after local police and administration agreed it would be difficult to handle the security situation if three major political events were held in the same area and sought assistance from the Punjab government. The provincial government had then suggested imposing a ban on all such events.

District Coordination Officer (DCO) Talat Mehmood Gondal told Dawn that the decision was taken after AML applied for permission to hold a public meeting at Lal Haveli in Bohar Bazaar. He said the PML-N Metropolitan President Sardar Naseem had also sought permission for a public meeting at the party’s offices on Iqbal Road.

Both parties’ requests were turned down by Punjab government; PTI’s application still pending

“The applications were forwarded to the intelligence committee and the Home Department, which later recommended imposing a ban on public meetings at open places on Independence Day to avoid any untoward incidences,” he said.

However, the ruling party has announced that it will not accept the ban imposed by the local administration, which works under the Punjab government.

Talking to Dawn, PML-N Rawalpindi Chapter General Secretary Haji Pervez Khan said: “Local PML-N leaders met Thursday night and it was decided to go ahead with the public meeting. It is every political party’s right to arrange a political event at any time.”

He claimed the local administration was facilitating opposition parties and that their party had not been officially informed of the ban.

On the other hand, AML chief Sheikh Rashid said the ban was an attempt to encroach on the opposition’s right to freedom of expression and that he would keep up the tradition of holding a public meeting at Lal Haveli on August 13 , “come what may”.

Talking to Dawn, the AML chief said: “I will go to the courts against the decision taken by dictatorship that is the Punjab government. The case will be filed in the Lahore High Court Rawalpindi Bench Friday morning.”

He said the local administration will not be able to stop him from holding his public meeting in Lal Haveli.

Though its application has not been decided on yet, the PTI has also said it will not accept the ban.

“PTI will continue with the rally as scheduled. According to the Constitution, the government cannot stop the people from using their right to freedom of expression,” said PTI MPA Arif Abbasi.

Published in Dawn, August 12th, 2016