Lahore: The district administration of Lahore has granted permission to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) for Lahore Jalsa on the city’s Ring Road in Kahna, scheduled for tomorrow (Saturday), following the Lahore High Court’s directives.
The No Objection Certificate (NOC) issued by the Deputy Commissioner includes 43 stringent conditions, with the Lahore Jalsa permitted to run between 3 PM and 6 PM. Among the key conditions, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister, Ali Amin Gandapur, has been instructed to publicly apologize for his remarks made during the Islamabad rally on September 8.
Other conditions bar individuals facing charges of hate speech from participating or appearing on stage, and prohibit any anti-state slogans or statements during the rally. Additionally, the NOC mandates that “no Afghan flag will be hoisted” and “no Afghan manpower will be brought to the Jalsa.”
The NOC also states that no proclaimed offenders are allowed to participate in the rally, with the PTI’s administration being held responsible for facilitating their arrest, failing which they may face legal consequences for abetment.
PTI Leader’s Response
In response, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan urged the authorities not to create any hurdles for the rally attendees, ensuring that the event concludes within the allotted time frame. He called on PTI workers to maintain a peaceful presence and reach the venue on time.
The incarcerated PTI founder and former prime minister, Imran Khan, has described the upcoming event as a “do-or-die” moment for the party, expressing confidence in a successful turnout.
Negotiations Over Rally Timing
Negotiations between the PTI leadership and the district administration are ongoing regarding the extension of the rally’s time beyond 6 PM, with the PTI pushing for a finish by 11 PM. Malik Ahmad Khan Bhachar, Leader of the Opposition in the Punjab Assembly, met with the Lahore Deputy Commissioner to finalize the event’s Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), though the final draft has yet to be released.
Preparations Underway
Meanwhile, preparations for the rally are in full swing. PTI has readied a container for KP Chief Minister Gandapur’s journey from Swabi to the Lahore venue, with plans for him to address supporters before departing.
Citing security measures, heavy police presence, and barricades along the KP-Punjab border, the KP government has deployed machinery, including cranes and shovels, to clear any obstructions on the convoy’s route to the rally.
Security Concerns and Arrest Plans
In a separate development, the Punjab government has devised a strategy to arrest nearly 3,700 suspects wanted in connection with the May 9 violence. Using data from Safe City cameras, special teams will use AI and modern technology to identify and detain these individuals during the rally.
