ISLAMABAD: In yet another bid to hold a power show in the federal capital, PTI founding chairman Imran Khan has directed party workers to make arrangements for the gathering this week.

Adviser to KP Chief Minister on Information Barrister Mohammad Saif, while addressing a presser in KP House here on Sunday, said the power show would be held in Islamabad on Aug 22.

However, the CM’s aide feared that Islamabad district administration once again might not allow the PTI to hold a public meeting in the federal capital.

For past several months, the PTI has been trying to get permission to hold a public meeting in Islamabad, without any success. In March, after receiving no response from the district administration despite multiple attempts, the PTI approached the Islamabad High Court (IHC) to seek permission to hold a public meeting in the federal capital. However, the district administration did not allow the party to hold the meeting. Later, the administration allowed PTI to hold meeting on 27th Ramazan, a date the party refused to accept claiming that workers would be busy in mosques.

Imran advises party workers to start making arrangements for the gathering on 22nd

Last month, the PTI postponed its planned power show in Tarnol after the Islamabad administration cancelled its no-objection certificate at the eleventh hour and police sealed the venue. The party then filed a contempt petition against the district administration for cancelling the permission. The court directed the government to decide on the venue of the protest in accordance with the constitutional provisions.

However, Islamabad Deputy Commi­ssioner Irfan Nawaz Memon, in a letter he signed, later explained that the closure of certain routes would portray the wrong image of the capital city in general and the country in particular. Moreover, it claimed, road blockades would deprive travellers of their fundamental rights.

Barrister Saif told the presser that the district administration was bound to allow a political party to hold public meetings in the city, but it was unfortunate that the administration repeatedly deprived the PTI of its right to hold a peaceful assembly.

Published in Dawn, August 19th, 2024

Opinion

Beefing up security

Beefing up security

The issue lies not in the sincerity and dedication of Pakistan’s law enforcement but in their capacity and access to effective surveillance equipment.

Editorial

Concerning measures
Updated 03 Nov, 2024

Concerning measures

The govt must seek political input and consensus on the changes it is seeking to make and be open about its intentions.
Short-lived relief?
03 Nov, 2024

Short-lived relief?

POLICYMAKERS must be jumping with joy. At the close of the first quarter of FY25, the budget posted a consolidated...
Brisk spread
03 Nov, 2024

Brisk spread

THE surge in polio cases has reached distressing levels with a tally of 45 last reported, after two cases emerged in...
Ultimate price
Updated 02 Nov, 2024

Ultimate price

To dismantle culture of impunity for crimes against journalists, state must ensure that perpetrators do not go unpunished.
Mastung bombing
02 Nov, 2024

Mastung bombing

INSTABILITY continues to haunt Balochistan, as Friday morning’s bombing in Mastung has shown. At least nine...
Plane speak
02 Nov, 2024

Plane speak

DESPITE all its efforts to facilitate PIA’s privatisation, it seems the government only ended up being taken for a...