ISLAMABAD
The PTI has postponed its power show, which was set to be held in Islamabad’s Tarnol at 6pm today, after the district administration cancelled the no-objection certificate issued to the party.
Earlier this week, the PTI moved the Islamabad High Court to obtain the NOC from the administration. On Thursday, the IHC disposed of the petition when the state counsel claimed that the NOC had already been granted for the rally.
However, the Islamabad administration in an official press release issued on Friday, without naming the party, stated the NOC for the “political gathering” had been cancelled due to “security issues”.
It said the NOC issued by the deputy commissioner was reviewed afresh in the wake of security concerns and the chief commissioner while keeping in view the current security situation, the advent of Muharram, security concerns and reports of law enforcement agencies, decided to cancel the certificate issued for the political gathering.
While speaking to reporters late last night, Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Omar Ayub Khan had stated that his party would go ahead with the planned meeting “come what may”.
“Not just this jalsa, we will hold several other rallies in Lahore, Karachi and other cities,” he stated. “Don’t force us towards a mass agitation,” Ayub warned.
He said that coordinates for the Tarnol rally had been given to the party by the district administration.
“Our preparations were underway until late last night … but then the police sealed the site and the deputy commissioner cancelled the NOC,” he lamented.
“What was the deputy commissioner on? Were you not in your senses while signing the order? Did you not think of Muharram then?” the PTI leader asked.
At the outset of the media briefing, Barrister Gohar claimed that several PTI workers had been picked up in recent days, vowing to take the matter before the court. “We strongly condemn this state brutality,” he said.
“This government […] will only last a few days. God willing, our struggle for democracy will continue,” he added.
