ISLAMABAD: Despite getting the permission through Islamabad High Court (IHC) after tireless efforts, Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) has decided to call off its public meeting scheduled for April 6 in Islamabad.

PTI leader Raoof Hasan said that it was not correct that the public meeting was called off.

“We have decided to extend the date because of the last Ashra of Ramazan as people would be busy in prayers during these days. We will announce the fresh date for the public meeting after Ramazan,” he said.

After Feb 8 polls, PTI announced to hold countrywide protests and public meetings against the alleged rigging.

The protests had to be started from Islamabad. Party had submitted application with the district administration on March 14 and then a reminder was submitted on March 18 seeking permit to hold public meeting at Parade Ground Shakarparian, or D-Chowk, or F-9 Park, on March 23 or March 30.

After failing to get any response from district administration PTI approached IHC. The court directed the district administration to respond to the application.

The district administration stated that section 144 Cr.PC. had been imposed on all kinds of public gatherings in federal capital.

Moreover, it informed that after seeking input from Intelligence Bureau,

Special Branch and Islamabad Police, it was decided that approval could not be given for ‘security reasons ’ and non-availability of security personnel.

Party was also informed that it violated its affidavits and promises in the past.

Later PTI again contacted IHC due to which Chief Justice Aamer Farooq allowed PTI to hold meeting in Islamabad, observing that peaceful gathering was a constitutional right which cannot be denied for technicalities.

He directed the district administration to impose reasonable conditions for holding the public gathering.

However the counsel for the government argued that due to security threats attack in which Chinese engineers were killed. He pointed out that PTI violated the undertaking of holding peaceful gatherings earlier.

Justice Farooq termed the terrorist attack unfortunate but remarked that the constitutional right could not be denied due to such activities since Pakistan needed to eliminate the menace through collective efforts.

He directed the district administration to issue the no objection certificate (NOC) for the gathering and also advised the PTI’s counsel to ensure the procession remained peaceful.

The party was allowed to hold public meeting on April 6 but now it may require another NOC for holding the public meeting after Ramazan.

Published in Dawn, April 5th, 2024