PTI determines to hold rally despite ECP’s show-cause notice  

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has directed Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) to call off its 1st May rally as the party does not have any kind of permission from the district administration in this regard. 

According to the 24NewsHD TV channel, the ECP issued a show-cause notice on Sunday to the PTI over violating the Election code of conduct, saying, it is necessary to seek the permission of the district administration to hold rallies and jalsas. Subsequently, the electoral watchdog directed the PTI to call off its May 1 rally, the International Labour Day. 

PTI Chairman Imran Khan has announced to lead a rally on Monday from Liberty Chowk to Nasir Bagh at 1 PM in connection with Labour Day.

Reacting to the election watchdog’s show-cause notice, PTI senior vice president Fawad Chaudhry demanded the ECP to revoke its notice by saying, “The notice is illegal”. He said that PTI will take out a rally to express solidarity with working class.  

He went on to say that the ECP contended that the PTI could not hold a rally on Labour Day. “Socio-political parties stage rallies to show solidarity with labourers and it is surprising to see us barred from holding the rally on May 1,” he added.

Taking to Twitter, he said the party was writing to the ECP to revoke its notice adding that the rally must be allowed to continue according to the schedule. “ECP’s actions prove that it is biased,” he added.

https://twitter.com/FawadPTIUpdates/status/1652687248121290752

The only purpose of the May 1st holiday in the whole world is to stand with the workers of Chicago for the plight and rights of the workers, he added. 

Fawad Chaudhry said that the rally to be held tomorrow in Lahore, Islamabad and Peshawar should be allowed to go on as usual. 

“If you cannot come out for labour rights in Pakistan, then when and how can you do your political activities,” he asked.