SIALKOT/ISLAMABAD
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) was forced to shuffle the venue for its Sialkot rally on Saturday, amidst clashes between administration and the PTI’s supporters.
Situation became intense when police cracked down on arrangements on premises it said belonged to the Christian community.
Earlier Saturday, authorities stopped PTI members from erecting structures in preparation for the rally in Sialkot’s CTI ground, with reports that police fired tear gas and baton-charged party activists who were resisting the move.
Reacting to the situation, PTI Chairman and former PM Imran Khan said he would attend the jalsa at any cost. “I will be going to Sialkot today, let there be no doubt. What imported government did in Sialkot against our leadership and workers is outrageous, but not unexpected. This bunch of criminals out on bail and their convict mafia boss in London have always used fascist tactics against opponents,” Imran tweeted on Saturday noon.
Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz’s (PML-N) vice president and PTI’s arch rival Maryam Nawaz Sharif said PTI’s insistance to carry the rally at CTI ground was derogatory towards religious sentiments. “Christian community is against holding the rally at [CTI] ground and is calling it a disgrace to their worship place. It is the foremost responsibility of government to protect rights of all religious minorities. Holding rally is your right but you will not be allowed to hurt anyone’s religious sentiments,” Maryam tweeted.
