ISLAMABAD – The Punjab government has refused to grant permission to the MQM to organise a public rally at Minar-e-Pakistan on April 10 due to security reasons. Security agencies had submitted the report to the provincial government that MQM’s public rally at Minar-e-Pakistan might be targeted by terrorists.
Keeping in view the report of the Home Department, the government of Punjab declined MQM’s request. When contacted, MQM leader and Rabita Committee member Wasih Jalil told Online that their top priority for holding the rally would be Minar-e-Pakistan, adding that the leadership of the MQM had talked to the provincial government two days ago but it did not allow the MQM to organise the rally on the basis of a report from some secret agencies.
“If the government will not allow the MQM to hold a rally at Minar-e-Pakistan, we will choose some other spot in Lahore,” he said. Punjab Chief Minister’s spokesman Senator Pervez Rashid said the PML-N also wanted to hold a public meeting at three month ago at Minar-e-Pakistan but it had to be to Expo Centre in Lahore due to security threats.
