Decision comes after PTI approached ECP against Section 144 in Lahore; interim CM Mohsin Naqvi says no ban imposed on political activities
LAHORE
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman and former premier Imran Khan Sunday called off his election rally in Lahore till tomorrow (Monday) after the Punjab interim government imposed Section 144 in the provincial capital.
Taking to Twitter, the PTI chief said: “It seems again that Section 144 has been imposed illegally solely on the PTI election campaign as all other public activities are ongoing in Lahore.”
“Only Zaman Park has been surrounded by containers and heavy police contingent. Clearly, like 8 March, Punjab Chief Minister and police want to provoke clashes to file more sham FIRs against PTI leadership and workers and to use as pretext for postponing elections,” said the former prime minister.
“Election schedule has been announced so how can Sec 144 be imposed on pol activity? I am telling all PTI workers not to fall into this trap. Hence we have postponed the rally till tomorrow,” Imran Khan added.
Talking to media outside Zaman Park, PTI senior leader Shah Mahmood Qureshi said that the party has decided to hold election rally in Lahore tomorrow (Monday). He also urged ECP to hear PTI’s petition on an urgent basis and order caretaker govt to lift “illegal” Section 144 in Lahore.
“The rally could be held either tomorrow or day after tomorrow,” PTI leader Hammad Azhar said while addressing media in the provincial capital.
The decision comes after PTI challenged the Section 144 imposed by the Punjab government in Lahore in the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) ahead of its election rally in the provincial capital.
Earlier, the Punjab government imposed Section 144 in Lahore ahead of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf’s rally announced to be held today to avoid any untoward incident.
Interim Minister for Sports Amir Mir requested the PTI to forward its rally date, lamenting that the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf has once again announced holding a rally on an important day when Lahore is hosting the Pakistan Super League (PSL) match today.
“Lahore is hosting the PSL match. There is also a 40-kilometre-long marathon and cycle race in the city today,” the minister said. Mir said that the administration had already informed the PTI about today’s events but the party ignored our request.
“In light of the situation, the Punjab government has decided to ban rallies today. Section 144 is being imposed to avoid any untoward incident,” the information minister.
He also noted that the electioneering begins 22 days before the polls ‘which means that the party is starting its campaign before the schedule’. The Election Commission of Pakistan has announced polls in Punjab on April 30.
The minister advised PTI Chairman Imran Khan to cooperate with the government, ‘if he continues challenging the writ of the state then we will have to show strictness’. On Saturday, DC Lahore cautioned the PTI leaders that if the party did not postpone the rally, there would be no choice but to implement Section 144 in the city.
The PTI had sought a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from Lahore Deputy Commissioner for taking out a rally from two possible routes on Sunday.
In a letter written to DC Lahore, PTI proposed a route that would start from Zaman Park at 2 pm and end at Data Darbar after passing through Garhi Shahu, Allama Iqbal Road, Railway Station, Brandreth Road, Shah Aalmi Chowk, and Bhatti Gate.
On the other hand, Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja has convened a meeting of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Monday to discuss Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) petition against the imposition of Section 144 which prohibits any rallies and public gatherings in Lahore.
Taking to Twitter, the electoral watchdog said the meeting will be held at 10:30 am tomorrow. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Sunday challenged the imposition of Section 144 in Lahore by the caretaker Punjab govt ahead of its scheduled rally.
The former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan announced that he would lead a public rally on Sunday (today) in connection with the election campaign, launched for upcoming general elections in Punjab.
The plea was moved by Dr Babar Awan with the ECP on the directions of former prime minister and PTI chief Imran Khan. PTI in its plea has urged the ECP to use its power and strike down the imposition of Section 144 in Lhaore by terming it ‘illegal’.
On the other hand, Punjab Caretaker Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi has said that no ban had been imposed on political activities in the city. “All political parties are freely allowed to campaign,” he tweeted.
It may be noted that the caretaker Punjab government imposed Section 144 in Lahore with immediate effect, while sources claimed that Punjab Rangers have also been summoned to maintain law and order.
