• Petition emphasizes the right to fundamental rights of association, speech.
• Cites political victim, seeking protection against harassment.
• Urges the court to grant permission to hold rally from 1 p.m. 20 to 12.
  

Lahore: Pakistan Tehreek-E-Insaf (PTI) has moved the Lahore High Court (LHC) seeking permission to hold a public rally in Minar-E-Pakistan on March 22.

The plea filed by PTI Punjab -Vice President Akmal Khan Bari – naming Punjab Chief Secretary, Inspector General of Police (ICP), You, Lahore -Vice Commissioner and others as respondents – complaining that the application to hold a power show in the said place has not been decided by Laahore Dc.

With reference to the importance of reminding the Lahore resolution – on March 23, 1940, the PTI leader emphasizes the fundamental rights of association, and speech combined with “dignity and unkind right to reach the people and keep peaceful rallies”, claiming that the respondents were bound to allow and facilitate such a collection under Article 4 on Constitution.

The petition complaining about political victims calls on the petition the right to impose on respondents against harassing him or his family and giving permission to hold a collection in Minar-E-Pakistan on the said date from 1 p.m. 20 to 12.

The latest plea comes on the basis of a high alarm issued in Punjab due to a recent increase in incidents with terrorism in the country.

It is relevant to know that Imran Khan founded-party has held several public collections in recent months with the latest, which was arranged in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Swabi on February 8-to mark one year anniversary of the last year’s general election, as it claimed was marred by rigging where their mandate was the chair.

In February, PTI had sought permission from the Lahore administration to hold a rally in Minar-E-Pakistan, but was denied by the latter due to security concerns.

The former reigning party then went to hold a rally in Swabi, which was characterized by a low turnout in the midst of internal battle combined with a lack of funds.

About 5,000 to 6,000 people participated in the collection, according to Party Insiders, because many workers could not be brought.

According to reports, some provincial assembly members and ministers lacked the necessary funding to give workers transport to the event.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister Ali Amin Gandapur had received requests for financial support from a couple of parliamentarians, but according to the sources, no additional financing was allocated for the event this time.

Previously, CM Gandapur used to provide funds to PTI legislators to mobilize workers for partisally, sources say.

PTI, ever since its negotiations with the government broke down and failed to give any material result, has warned of its return to agitation policy and has reached other political parties to hold anti-government protests after Eid Ul Fitr.

The party was also part of a two-day Grand Opposition Alliance conference in Islamabad last month, which was attended by leaders of various political parties, journalists and others.