LAHORE: The Punjab government has denied permission to the opposition to hold a rally on The Mall on Thursday (today).

The PML-N had written to the deputy commissioner seeking permission to hold a public meeting on The Mall on July 25 to observe ‘black day’.

The PML-N said it was observing the day on July 25 as on this day last year the PTI stole the public mandate and a selected prime minister was installed in the country.

PML-N’s Punjab information secretary Azma Bokhari said the PTI led by Imran Khan used to hold rallies on The Mall in the past but no one stopped him despite a ban by the Lahore High Court. Ms Bokhari and PPP leader Aslam Gill said the opposition would hold the rally in Lahore come what may.

There are reports that police have picked up some PML-N activists. PML-N vice-president Maryam Nawaz said the party lawmakers were forced to sign an undertaking (by hidden forces) not to attend the rally.

She is scheduled to lead an opposition rally in Quetta on Thursday (today).

Published in Dawn, July 25th, 2019