LAHORE: The Lahore district administration has denied permission to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to hold a public meeting at Qartaba Chowk today in connection with the NA-120 by-poll, saying it could not allow blocking of the main road for an entire day, a private news channel has reported.
However, the channel said that the party has refused to arrange its gathering at any other venue. PTI has instead asked the administration to ensure appropriate security measures in the area as Imran Khan and other senior party leaders will also be attending today’s power show, it added.
NA-120 fell vacant after former prime minister Nawaz Sharif was disqualified by the Supreme Court in the Panama Papers case.
The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has fielded Sharif’s wife, Begum Kulsoom Nawaz, while the PTI has nominated Dr Yasmin Rashid as its candidate. Pakistan People’s Party candidate Faisal Mir is also contesting this crucial by-election, which is being seen as a litmus test for the ruling party’s popularity in wake of the Panama Papers issue.
A total of 44 candidates are contesting the by-poll, scheduled to be held on Sept 17.