Staff Report
ISLAMABAD: Islamabad Deputy Commissioner Irfan Nawaz Memon rejected on Sunday PTI’s request to hold a public gathering in the federal capital on March 30.
The party’s request was turned down in view of the “law and order situation”. DC Memon stated that the party had already violated NOCs (no objection certificates) issued on earlier occasions.
Two days ago, the Islamabad High Court Chief Justice Aamer Farooq directed the capital’s DC to decide on the matter and present a report in this regard.
The former ruling party’s regional president Amir Masood Mughal had sought permission for a public gathering either on March 23 or March 30, at Parade Ground, F9 Park or D Chowk at 10 pm.
The secretary of interior, chief commissioner, inspector general of police, deputy commissioner, and SSP operations were addressed in the application.
It demanded to restrain the law enforcement agencies from blocking the routes to the venue and desist from arresting or baton-charging party supporters.
The PTI made formal written requests to the Islamabad DC on March 15 and 18 for securing an NOC, but no response was received until March 21.
Later, Imran’s party approached the court after alleging that the district administration was unresponsive to their request, therefore, the court should issue directions in this regard.
The PTI also faced similar rejections earlier as the Rawalpindi District Administration declined the party’s request to hold a rally at Liaquat Bagh on February 5, right before the crucial general elections.
District Returning Officer and Deputy Commissioner Hasan Waqar Cheema rejected the PTI’s request to hold a rally at Liaquat Bagh, saying that it was not possible to allow the party to hold a rally in the city as it might affect the law and order situation.
Earlier, As the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) gears up for its power show in Islamabad’s Parade Ground later today, party leaders have come forward with allegations that the incumbent government led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is interfering with the rally preparations.
A day earlier, PTI received permission from the Islamabad district magistrate’s office to hold a rally in the federal capital on July 2.
Former interior minister and party leader Sheikh Rashid Ahmed on Saturday claimed banners with statements against party chief Imran Khan were hung in Rawalpindi prior to the party rally.
Alongside Rashid, other leaders of the former ruling party have also alleged that the government has attempted to interfere with the rally’s preparation.
The banners were allegedly put up on Friday night and contain allegations of corruption during the rule of the former premier.
Banners on the Rawalpindi Ring Road read, “PTI’s involvement in corruption exposed”. Others had allegations of money laundering by Farah Gogi, a close associate of Imran’s wife and now under investigation for corruption.
