The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is all set to stage a rally against corruption at Charing Cross Chowk in front of Punjab Assembly Lahore on Sunday (today) despite security threats issued by law enforcement agencies.
PTI Chairman Imran Khan had announced to hold the next rally at Lahore’s Charing Cross during a public meeting in Islamabad to mark the 20th foundation day of the party.
Scores of party workers and leaders from across the country reached Lahore a couple of days ago to attend the rally while the final demonstration is scheduled on Sunday evening.
Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Arif Alvi, Naeem ul Haq and party leadership from Sindh will arrive in Lahore today.
Two rallies will rush to join the main public meeting at Charing Cross. Shah Mahmood Qureshi will lead the rally starting from Shahdara Mor while the rally from Main Boulevard Gulberg will be led by Shafqat Mahmood.
The city district government and police officials had asked to change the venue but the PTI was adamant to hold the rally at its announced venue. Yesterday, Deputy Inspector General Operations Dr Haider Ashraf visited the venue and informed the PTI leadership about the terror threat.
Talking to reporters, Haider Ashraf said that they had warned the PTI of possible terrorist threat at the venue, adding that the police will nevertheless provide foolproof security to the participants of the rally.
Talking to Pakistan Today, he said that the police have taken all security measures for the rally to prevent any untoward incident. Three thousand police personnel would be deployed at the venue while 2,000 police personnel would also be deployed to secure the participants of rallies on other points in the city.
Charing Cross, the venue for today’s rally, is considered one of the most sensitive areas of the city as it has buildings like Punjab Assembly, WAPDA House, CCPO office and media houses in its surroundings.
Earlier, a threat alert was issued to PTI leader Aleem Khan by police stating that they have information about possible attack on PTI Chairman Imran Khan. The statement read that the party would be responsible in case of any untoward incident.
On Friday, Lahore’s local administration held a meeting with a delegation of the PTI and persuaded them to hold their rally at an alternate venue due to security threats. The administration proposed three other venues; Nasir Bagh, Samanabad Doongi Ground and Gaddafi Stadium for the rally, which were all rejected by the PTI leadership.
Imran Khan and other central leaders including Jahangir Khan Tareen, Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Arif Alvi, Asad Umar, Shafqat Mahmood, Pervez Khatak and Mian Mehmood-ur-Rasheed will address the participants of the rally.
PTI Lahore leadership including Aleem Khan, Shoaib Siddiqui, Mian Aslam Iqbal, Mian Mahmoudur Rashid and others observed the preparations for the rally on Saturday night.
The party management has decided to make separate sitting arrangements for the female participants to prevent their harassment by male workers. A number of PTI’s volunteer groups including Insaf Tiger Force would be deployed to look after security.
Amid preparation for the rally, the citizens faced problems on the roads as traffic police failed to issue any traffic plan for the commuters which caused a huge traffic mess on Mall Road. Ambulances were seen stuck in traffic at the Mall Road due to lack of planning by the traffic police.
