PTI rally request for tomorrow rejected 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 talks between the US and Iran in the federal capital.

The decision was taken during a key meeting of the party’s political committee where the top leadership, including Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, reviewed the overall political and regional situation in detail. After deliberation, the committee decided to postpone the convention to be held at Liaquat Bagh in Rawalpindi.

The PTI political committee meeting focused on the country’s political climate with special attention to recent developments in the region. The Committee welcomed progress on the US-Iran ceasefire and described it as a positive milestone.

Participants emphasized 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 was not just seeking a temporary ceasefire in the Middle East, but a lasting and sustainable peace.

The meeting members also noted that Pakistan was to host an important international conference in Islamabad on Friday, which has great significance for regional and global peace. In this connection, the political committee decided that, under 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 meeting. It 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 will be announced at an appropriate time after mutual consultation.

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

The PTI sought permission as CM Afridi had announced a protest for the date the party was ousted from power four years ago, following a no-confidence vote. Following the announcement by PTI, a day earlier, the Rawalpindi district administration also imposed Section 144 for 15 days.

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

A statement issued by the deputy commissioner read: “After a comprehensive assessment of the prevailing law and order situation and the latest security threat alerts and feedback from the LEAs (Law Enforcement Agencies), the committee unanimously concluded that the requested activity cannot be held,” it said.

Furthermore, the DIC noted in a notification that the extensive deployment of police personnel and security resources required to clear such a complex area was not possible at this time due to global energy crises and recently announced government austerity.

Read: Rawalpindi enforces Section 144 ahead of 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 pending charges under the Anti-Terrorism Act in connection with the May 9, 2023 protests.

In the past, the PTI has staged many protests and demonstrations, but now the party has stepped up calls for his release after a medical report submitted to the Supreme Court stated that the vision in his right eye had decreased to 15 percent. However, government officials maintain that he is receiving appropriate medical care.

A day earlier, Rawalpindi police registered a case under anti-terrorism provisions against the sisters of Imran, several members of the national and provincial assemblies and around 1,400 unidentified people following unrest on Adiala Road.

According to the police, the case was filed on the complaint of Sub-Inspector Imran Khan, in-charge of the Adiala check post, and includes charges of attempted murder and resisting law enforcement.