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

Editorial

Out of control
Updated 19 Feb, 2025

Out of control

AS bodies continue to fall in Kurram despite a state-sanctioned ceasefire, one wonders how long local militants’...
Hollow words
19 Feb, 2025

Hollow words

IT is not uncommon for politicians to resort to the use of hyperbole in order to boost their public standing. ...
Migration matters
19 Feb, 2025

Migration matters

THE grass, it seems, did appear greener on the other side to millions of people as evidenced by the latest UN ...
Cholistan project
Updated 18 Feb, 2025

Cholistan project

GPI goals align with Pakistan's broader economic aims but the manner in which the initiative was launched raises questions.
Right to know
18 Feb, 2025

Right to know

IT is an unfortunate paradox that while on paper Pakistan has some of the most impressive right to information laws,...
Dam dispute
18 Feb, 2025

Dam dispute

THE situation in Chilas needs attention and a fair-minded approach so that it can be resolved amicably. Diamer ...