On Friday, the Lahore district administration approved Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to hold a rally at Ring Road in Kahna, subject to 44 conditions. This decision followed a directive from the Lahore High Court (LHC) for the deputy commissioner to rule on PTI’s request by 5pm that day.
Initially, there were indications that the rally would take place at Jallo Park, but the official notification confirmed it would occur on Saturday (today) from 3pm to 6pm at Ring Road.
Read more: PTI plans Major Rally in Lahore
Among the conditions, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur is required to apologize for inappropriate comments made during a previous rally on September 8. Additionally, the responsibility for security arrangements lies with the organizers.
PTI leader Ishtiaq Khan commented that the party cannot be held accountable for Gandapur’s actions, emphasizing that the decision to apologize rests with him. The approval includes strict measures aimed at ensuring the event’s peaceful conduct.
According to the notification, PTI’s legal representative, Advocate Chaudhry Ishtiaq Ahmad Khan, submitted an undertaking to take responsibility for any disturbances during the rally. Security conditions imposed include separate areas for men and women, emergency exits, and hiring private security.
The organizers are prohibited from allowing anti-state slogans or individuals facing hate speech allegations. Use of Afghan flags and Afghan manpower is banned, and fireworks are not allowed. They must also coordinate with district police and traffic authorities for proper traffic management to avoid city disruptions.
Failure to comply with these rules could result in legal action against the organizers. The district commissioner’s office emphasized that security will be closely monitored, and any violations will be dealt with rigorously.
Earlier, the LHC had directed PTI to formally request the deputy commissioner for rally permission in Lahore. The court ordered a decision by 5pm during a hearing on a petition filed by PTI leaders Aliya Hamza and Sheikh Imtiaz Mehmood, who sought to hold the rally at Minar-e-Pakistan.
The case was reviewed by Justices Muhammad Tariq Nadeem and Farooq Haider, who noted that PTI had faced repeated refusals for rallies on political grounds.
During the hearing, Justice Nadeem inquired if Aliya Hamza had submitted the necessary application, to which the DC responded negatively. Hamza’s lawyer, Ishtiaq Chaudhry, informed the court that she was under house arrest.
The court also pointed out discrepancies in the dates provided by PTI and instructed the party to reapply for permission. It recommended the provincial government designate specific locations in Lahore for political events to prevent future issues. The petition was concluded with instructions for the DC to decide on PTI’s request by the designated time.
