Govt, PTI refuse to budge on Foundation Day rally

• City administration informs PTI in writing the Foundation Days rally is a no-go
• PTI says it will hold a peaceful rally come what may

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan and Federal Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan’s meeting on the plane en route to London has failed to soften the stance of the government regarding PTI’s public meeting, as the local administration has even denied permission to the party for holding their rally in Fatimah Jinnah Park, F-9.

The standoff between the government and the PTI over the issue of holding public gathering in F-9 on April 24 to celebrate the party’s 20th Founding Day continued on Friday after the local administration denied permission for any such gathering anywhere in the federal capital.

On the other hand, the PTI leadership has categorically stated that they will hold the public gathering in the park come what may.

CITY ADMINISTRATION IS TRYING TO ENSURE SECURITY:

Sources said that the Islamabad deputy commissioner has rejected the PTI’s request and informed the party leadership in writing that the party cannot be allowed to hold its public gathering in Fatimah Jinnah Park.

The deputy commissioner said that Section 144 has already imposed in the federal capital, so holding of public gatherings, processions, carrying weapons in public and use of loudspeakers are strictly forbidden.

He said that protection of life and property is the responsibility of the government which it will not compromise at any cost and that such gatherings disturb the daily life of the people. Therefore, permission cannot be granted for any such gathering in the federal capital.

PTI TO HOLD A PEACEFUL RALLY:

Speaking to media persons, PTI senior leader Shah Mahmood Qureshi categorically stated that the PTI’s Founding Day celebration would be completely peaceful; hence the local administration should assist the party organizers in holding the public gathering instead of creating hurdles.

He assured that the PTI would make every possible effort to not give the local administration a chance to complain.

Qureshi said that the participants would be allowed to enter the venue only through the entry gates.

PTI NEVER ASKED FOR PERMISSION:

Earlier, PTI Central Secretary Information Naeemul Haq in his swift response to the Deputy Commissioner’s letter said that the party does not need permission of the local administration before celebrating the party’s Founding Day.

He said that permission is not needed for peaceful gatherings and the party had never actually sought the permission of the local administration in this regard. He said the PTI wrote a letter to the local administration not for seeking permission but for security arrangements for the gathering.

He said it is the responsibility of the local administration to provide foolproof security to the participants of the public gathering. He said the local administration would be held responsible for consequence if obstacles were created against this peaceful gathering.

Naeemul Haq said the party would hold its public meeting in Fatimah Jinnah Park on April 24 at any cost.

An important meeting of the organisers of the public gathering was held with Naeemul Haq in the chair on Friday, which was attended by Siafullah Niazi, Dr Shahzad Waseem, Faisal Javed and Ifikhar Durrani among others. During the meeting, the arrangements for the party’s Foundation Day celebration were discussed.

Sources in the Interior Ministry told Pakistan Today that the PTI was allowed to hold its public rally in the park during Imran Khan and Chaudhry Nisar’s meeting in the plane, as the PTI chairman assured him that the participants would disperse peacefully at the end of the public gathering.

Sources said that though the PTI leadership assured the local administration of holding peaceful gathering, the government will put in place security measures to meet any untoward situation.

The sources added that the government will provide security to the public gathering but PTI’s own security personnel will also be present on the occasion.