DERA GHAZI KHAN: Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) candidate for NA-185 Zartaj Gul was stopped from holding a public meeting in Dera Ghazi Khan on the last day of the election campaign on Tuesday.
Former PTI minister was told hold a public meeting at Andhey Wali Pul in Dera Ghazi Khan, despite having legal authorisation from the deputy commissioner.
Ms Gull previously defeated former federal minister Awais Ahmed Leghari in the last election.
Ironically, PPP, PML-N and independent candidates backed by the Leghari group of PML-N held large gatherings in different squares of the city.
In a video uploaded to social media, Ms Gull protested against the government, saying the police used baton charge to disperse her supporters and detained four of her workers. She said she had obtained permission from the deputy commissioner for the public meeting as part of her election campaign.
Refusing to leave the area, she remained seated on a chair at the crowded chowk of Andhey Wali Pul, declaring herself as the daughter of DG Khan and advocating for the safety of the city’s residents. She pledged her allegiance to PTI’s founder Imran Khan, and urged voters to reject traditional feudal contestants.
Other candidates competing for NA-185 include former chief minister Dost Muhammad Khosa of the PPP, businessman Mahmood Qadir Leghari, and Usman Farooq of Jamaat-i-Islami.
Published in Dawn, February 7th, 2024
