Request for PTI rally for tomorrow refused by Rawalpindi DC

RAWALPINDI:

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Wednesday announced the postponement of its public rally scheduled for April 9 due to the upcoming negotiations between the United States and Iran in the federal capital.

The decision was taken at a key meeting of the party’s political committee, where senior leaders, including Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, reviewed the overall political and regional situation in detail. After deliberations, the committee decided to postpone the rally which was scheduled to take place at Liaquat Bagh in Rawalpindi.

The PTI political committee meeting focused on the political climate in the country, with particular attention to recent developments in the region. The committee welcomed the progress on the ceasefire between the United States and Iran, describing it as a positive step.

Participants stressed that stability in the region was essential not only for the global economy but also for the survival and well-being of humanity.

The PTI spokesperson said the party sought not only a temporary ceasefire in the Middle East, but a lasting and viable peace.

The meeting members also noted that Pakistan would host a major international conference in Islamabad on Friday, which is of significant importance for regional and global peace. In this context, the political committee decided that, in the current circumstances, priority should be given to diplomatic efforts and the success of peace negotiations rather than holding a public gathering.

The party founder also conveyed a message through lawyer Salman Safdar, supporting the decision to postpone the rally. This was confirmed by PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan during his speech in the National Assembly.

The PTI spokesperson said a new date for the rally would be announced at an appropriate time after mutual consultation.

Earlier in the day, the Rawalpindi district administration rejected PTI’s request for a no-objection certificate to hold a rally at Liaquat Bagh on April 9.

The PTI sought permission as CM Afridi had announced a protest against the date the party was removed from power four years ago after a no-confidence motion. Following the PTI’s announcement, a day earlier, the Rawalpindi district administration also imposed Section 144 for 15 days.

Rawalpindi district president of PTI Khan Aqil Khan was officially informed of the decision. The matter was discussed at a meeting of the District Intelligence Committee (DIC), which reviewed the current security situation and potential threats.

A notification issued by the deputy commissioner said: “Following a comprehensive assessment of the current law and order situation and recent security threat alerts, as well as feedback from LEAs (law enforcement agencies), the committee has unanimously concluded that the requested activity cannot take place,” it said.

Furthermore, the DIC noted in a notification that the massive deployment of police personnel and security resources required to sanitize such a complex area was currently not feasible due to the global energy crisis and recently notified government austerity measures.

Read: Rawalpindi implements Article 144 before PTI protest

PTI founder Imran Khan has been in custody since August 2023 and is serving a sentence in Adiala Prison in a £190 million corruption case. He also faces ongoing trials under the anti-terrorism law in connection with the May 9, 2023 protests.

In the past, the PTI has held numerous protests and rallies, but the party has now intensified calls for his release after a medical report submitted to the Supreme Court said the vision in his right eye had fallen to 15 percent. However, government officials say he is receiving appropriate medical care.

A day earlier, Rawalpindi police had filed a case under anti-terrorism provisions against Imran’s sisters, several members of the national and provincial assemblies and around 1,400 unidentified individuals following disturbances on Adiala Road.

According to police, the case was filed following the complaint of sub-inspector Imran Khan, in-charge of the Adiala check post, and includes charges of attempt to murder and resisting law enforcement.