PTI's August 13 rally shifted from Islamabad to Lahore's Hockey Ground

Published August 8, 2022
Supporters gesture and wave PTI flags as they attend a rally in Lahore. —AFP/File
Supporters gesture and wave PTI flags as they attend a rally in Lahore. —AFP/File

The PTI has shifted the venue of its August 13 "Haqeeqi Azadi jalsa" from Islamabad's Parade Ground to the Lahore Hockey Ground, party's focal person Azhar Mashwani said on Monday.

"The decision was taken by chairman Imran Khan in a meeting today," he said in a statement, elaborating that the development comes after the party learnt about the federal government's "insufficient" plans for celebrations on Independence Day.

"[The] proud Pakistanis of Lahore will celebrate the 75th Independence Day in a grand manner at Hockey Stadium Lahore," he said.

Mashwani added that the ex-premier will attend the rally and address supporters as well.

Separately, a tweet on PTI's official Twitter account said that it will celebrate independence day "in a grand manner" in Lahore.

Meanwhile, in a press conference at Bani Gala earlier in the day, PTI leader Omar Ayub said that party workers had visited the Pindi Cricket Stadium and Liaqat National Bagh.

"We were told that the stadium just got new pitches while plantation was underway in the park."

He went on that the PTI had been given permission for the rally at Islamabad's Parade Ground. "But at the last moment we found out that the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan wanted to hold a protest there and it could have created problems.

"Hence, we came to the conclusion that Lahore is the best location [for the rally]," he said, adding that ground was spacious and could fit all of Imran's supporters.

On Sunday, the PTI chief had said that he would announce a strategy to “counter this fascism” during the August 13 rally.

Meanwhile, at a press conference earlier in the day, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah warned the PTI of "worst repercussions" if its upcoming protest turned violent.

Opinion

Editorial

Anything goes
Updated 13 Jan, 2025

Anything goes

With social media companies abandoning moderation efforts, dark days of freewheeling internet have seemingly returned.
Odious trade
13 Jan, 2025

Odious trade

WHEN home feels like a sinking ship, people are forced to make ill-fated journeys for a better life. Last month,...
Treasure of the Indus
13 Jan, 2025

Treasure of the Indus

THE Indus dolphin, or bulhan as it is known locally, is a remarkable species found only in the Indus River. Unlike...
Increased inflows
Updated 12 Jan, 2025

Increased inflows

Govt must devise a strategy to increase industrial and agricultural productivity to boost exports and reduce reliance on uncertain remittances.
Gwadar’s potential
12 Jan, 2025

Gwadar’s potential

THE Gwadar deep-sea port, completed in 2007, was supposed to be a shining success for the other newly built ports in...
Broken metropolis
12 Jan, 2025

Broken metropolis

KARACHI, Pakistan’s economic juggernaut, is the largest contributor to the nation’s tax revenue. The Federal...