Party leader says venue ‘belongs to military’, believes ties improving with establishment
NOC says list of participants to be shared with police; organizers to be responsible in case of violation of agreement

ISLAMABAD: The district administration on Thursday issued a no-objection certificate to the PTI for a public gathering on the outskirts of Islamabad on September 8, with a condition that the permission can be cancelled at any time in case of a “security situation”.

The venue is a 350 kanal compound located on Paswal Road near Sangjani and is reportedly under the control of the military establishment. The selection of the venue has also energised the PTI workers as they believe that the ice has started to melt between the PTI and the powers that be.

The PTI has been allocated another compound of 250 kanals for parking. According to a PTI leader, the workers believe that the ice between the establishment and the party chief, Imran Khan, has started to melt if not fully thawed.

“When we asked the district administration why the land under the control of the military establishment is being allocated to us for the jalsa, we were told that ‘they’ have directed us to issue the NOC for that land. This news has energised the workers and they have started arrangements with full enthusiasm,” he said.

PTI Islamabad President Amir Mughal told Dawn that the deputy commissioner had allowed their gathering near Sangjani Chowk. “Although the place, allotted for the public meeting, is in the suburbs of the federal capital still we will hold a massive public meeting, which will be the largest in the history of Islamabad,” he claimed.

He said the meeting would pave the way for the release of Imran Khan. Replying to a question, he said that there will be a separate enclosure for women participants. “We will start working at the venue from Friday (today) and I appeal to the masses to reach the venue on September 8 at 2pm,” he said.

Permission for jalsa

The NOC said the gathering shall not disturb or disrupt the fundamental rights of citizens of Islamabad and adjoining areas by blocking roads. Besides, the gathering shall start at 4pm and shall end at 7pm and it will be the organisers’ duty to ensure the dispersal after the end of the event.

No object of lethal or non-lethal force, including batons of any size, would be wielded by any participant in the gathering. In case of any violence, the organisers shall be held responsible. The list of the participants shall be shared with the police in advance.

The organisers shall take responsibility that the participants shall not illegally move beyond the identified boundary of the venue, and any violation of this and resultant consequences shall be the responsibility of the organiser.

Anti-state speeches shall not be made and effigy or flag of any political or religious party shall not be burnt. The traffic management plan and vehicle parking plan of the police shall be adhered to ensure the smooth flow of traffic.

For the safety of the general public and maintenance of law and order at the venue, the police and law enforcement agencies shall not be obstructed in search of any vehicle or person coming to attend the gathering.

A list of people to be allowed on the stage shall be provided to the Islamabad administration at least 12 hours in advance. In case of violation of any of the above terms and conditions, the organisers shall be liable to face legal proceedings and the NOC shall automatically stand cancelled.

For the past several months, the PTI had been trying to get approval for a public meeting in the capital but it was not allowed by the administration. In March this year, after no response from the district administration despite multiple attempts, the PTI approached the Islamabad High Court (IHC) for permission.

The district administration subsequently allowed the PTI to hold a meeting on Ramazan 27 but the political party refused to accept the date claiming that workers would be busy in mosques.

After Eidul Azha, the district administration did not allow it to organise the gathering because of Muharram.

In July, the PTI announced a protest but it was postponed as district administration did not allow the party to hold the protest.

The meeting was rescheduled for August 22 but district administration cancelled the NOC at the eleventh hour, giving a new date of Sept 8.

Published in Dawn, September 6th, 2024