Imran: Postponement of rally should not be seen as weakness

• The PTI founder reiterated that the rallies in Lahore on August 27 and Islamabad on September 8 must go on.
• Lawyers Gohar and Azam Swati confirmed that the rally was cancelled after an early morning meeting with party leaders in jail

Rawalpindi: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan on Thursday said postponing the rally should not be seen as a sign of weakness, party leaders were quoted as saying by the media.

PTI leaders Babar Azam Swati and Barista Gohar told the media that Imran Khan had called them for a meeting. Imran Khan pointed out that there were reports that religious parties were gathering in the Red Zone of Islamabad to protect the sanctity of the Prophet’s identity and stressed that his party holds this principle in high regard.

The PTI leader mentioned that the rally in Tarnoor has been postponed as per Imran Khan’s directives but clarified that those seeking freedom should not consider the decision as a sign of weakness.

He stressed that his party believed in peaceful political and legal struggles and took the decision to avoid unrest.

He also called for the release of CCTV footage if there is any evidence of anyone’s involvement in the May 9 incident and insisted that their fight is for justice and the rule of law.

Khan reiterated that the rallies in Lahore on August 27 and Islamabad on September 8 must go on.

Imran Khan urged “decision-makers” rather than the PDP government to respect the public’s mandate and prevent a national disaster.

He stressed that only by abiding by the constitution and laws can the country move forward. Khan also condemned the ongoing conspiracies against the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government and said he would not tolerate them.

The PTI leader added that they will move the Supreme Court on Friday (tomorrow) “regarding the damages caused by the verdict of Justice Ameer Farooq and Justice Qazi Faiz Isa”.

They will also discuss the allegations levelled against the Election Commission and the Chief Election Commissioner.

Imran Khan reiterated that he did not want unrest in the country and the difficult decision to postpone the rally was to avoid unrest.

Meanwhile, the Tehreek-e-Insaf party postponed its planned rally at Tarnoor Maidan in Islamabad. The rally was rescheduled to September 8 due to roadblocks set up by the local authorities and the instructions of party founder Imran Khan.

The decision was taken after top Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leaders Omar Ayub Khan, Azam Swati and Barista Gohar met Imran Khan at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi.

Swati announced in the presence of lawyer Gohar that the rally will be held on September 8 and security arrangements have been made. He added that the Islamabad chapter of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party led by Aamir Mughal will get necessary permissions for the event.

The PTI statement also expressed concerns that the government might use the rally to incite unrest.

Earlier, despite the Islamabad district administration’s decision not to allow the PTI to hold a rally, the PTI decided to go ahead with its march towards Tarnol Chowk.

The Chief Commissioner issued a notification regarding the decision. According to the document, the decision was taken on the basis of the recommendations of the Regional Intelligence Committee.

The committee held a meeting, which was chaired by the chief commissioner and also attended by the Islamabad police inspector general and deputy commissioner.

The NOC issued by the DC for the rally was reviewed during the meeting. The Inspector General said that there were security concerns due to various incidents. Besides, a suspicious bag was found at the PTI rally site.

Islamabad Police Inspector General Ali Nasir Rizvi also highlighted the heightened security risks at a meeting, noting that the Bangladesh cricket team is currently in the capital, creating complications for crowd management at the PTI rally.

The government also cited recent incidents such as protesters approaching the Supreme Court building as reinforcing security concerns, which ultimately led to the withdrawal of the rally permit.

Islamabad Red Zone closed

In response to the mass gatherings, the Islamabad government, in accordance with the instructions of the Ministry of Interior, sealed off the red zone and closed container transport routes to other cities.

A large number of police forces have been deployed. Only Margra Road is accessible in the red zone.

The highway towards Islamabad was closed at the Karakahar Interchange and the road from the Ravi Toll in Lahore to Islamabad was also closed.

As traffic was suspended, long queues of vehicles formed on the roads causing discomfort to the public.

Islamabad School Holidays

The Islamabad government on Thursday sealed off the red zone and declared a holiday for public and private schools in view of the sit-in protest by the Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

Following the instructions of the Interior Ministry, the Islamabad district administration has sealed off the red zone. Roads leading to other cities have also been closed.

An Interior Ministry spokesperson said the deputy commissioner of Islamabad decided to close the school considering the safety of the children.

It was also reported that the decision to suspend classes today was because the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party announced a rally and called on a religious group to protest.

On the other hand, due to the rallies and demonstrations, subway and bus services will continue to be suspended today, and security measures at subway and bus stations have been strengthened.

Earlier, the Punjab government also implemented Section 144 across the province, prohibiting gatherings. According to the notification, Section 144 will remain in force across the province of Punjab from August 22 to 24, prohibiting all political and general gatherings across the province.

The rally was cancelled on the orders of PTI founder Gandapur

After the rally was cancelled, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur insisted that the event would go on as planned despite the revocation of the No Objection Certificate (NOC). However, the rally was forced to stop on the instructions of the Tehreek-e-Insaf party founder.

In a statement after the rally was cancelled, Gandapur stressed that while workers remained prepared and morale was high, the decision to halt the rally was to respect the wishes of the founders of the Tehreek-e-Insaf party. He reiterated that the rally was intended to go ahead today despite the withdrawal of the NOC, reflecting the continued preparation and determination of the Tehreek-e-Insaf party supporters.

Gandapur stressed the importance of upholding the Constitution and legal process and maintained that the PTI founder remained committed to the demands of the party even in the face of obstacles. He confirmed that the PTI founder remained ready to respond to any call of the party.

PTI’s Sher Afzal Marwat released after brief arrest

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Sher Afzal Marwat has been released after being detained briefly by Islamabad police.

When Malwat and other party workers reached Tarnore for the scheduled rally, a heavy police presence detained him.

Earlier in the day, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) announced the postponement of Islamabad Power Show scheduled to be held in Tarnoor today as the Islamabad government cancelled the No Objection Certificate (NOC) for the public rally.

PTI Chairman Lawyer Gohar Ali Khan announced that the Islamabad Power Show has been postponed as per the instructions of party founder Imran Khan. However, the Deputy Commissioner allowed PTI to hold a rally in Islamabad on September 8 and the NOC has also been handed over to the PTI leaders. Yesterday, the Islamabad administration revoked the NOC of PTI’s public rally today.

Islamabad administration issues notification to PTI for September 8 rally

The Islamabad government has issued a no objection certificate (NOC) to the Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), allowing it to hold a rally on September 8.

Along with the NOC, a notification containing 40 guidelines was issued for the organisers of the PTI rally in Tarnow.

According to the notice, the government will provide security for the rally on September 8, PTI workers are required to arrive at the venue before 4 pm and the rally must end before 7 pm.

According to the notification, the rally organisers were strictly directed not to violate the fundamental rights of any citizen during the September 8 event.

The notification also stated that the responsibility of dispersing the crowd after the rally will be borne by the organizers of the PTI rally in Islamabad.

PTI Lahore Chairman Imtiaz Sheikh Arrested

Police arrested Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imtiaz Sheikh from Thokar Niaz Baig in Lahore on Thursday.

Sheikh Imtiaz reached there along with the workers.PTI leadership gathered at the petrol pump opposite the NAB office.

The arrested Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leaders were taken to Chuhang police station.