Imran Khan defers PTI’s Lahore rally for a day

Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan has postponed party’s election rally in Lahore till tomorrow (Monday), reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Sunday.

The PTI has delayed its rally on account of Section 144 being imposed in the city by the Punjab government. 

In his Twitter message, Imran said: “It seems again Sec 144 has been imposed illegally solely on PTI election campaign as all other public activities are ongoing in Lahore. Only Zaman Park has been surrounded by containers & heavy police contingent. Clearly, like 8 March, Punjab CM & police want to provoke clashes to file more sham FIRs against PTI ldrshp & workers & to use as pretext for postponing elections. Elec Schedule has been announced so how can Sec 144 be imposed on pol activity? I AM TELLING ALL PTI WORKERS NOT TO FALL INTO THIS TRAP. Hence we have postponed rally till tomorrow.” 

to file more sham FIRs against PTI ldrshp & workers & to use as pretext for postponing elections. Elec Schedule has been announced so how can Sec 144 be imposed on pol activity? I AM TELLING ALL PTI WORKERS NOT TO FALL INTO THIS TRAP. Hence we have postponed rally till tomorrow.

— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) March 12, 2023

Earlier, the Punjab government imposed Section 144 in Lahore ahead of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf’s rally announced to be held today to avoid any untoward incident. 

Interim Minister for Sports Amir Mir requested the PTI to forward its rally date, lamenting that the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf has once again announced holding a rally on an important day when Lahore is hosting the Pakistan Super League (PSL) match today.

"Lahore is hosting the PSL match. There is also a 40-kilometre-long marathon and cycle race in the city today," the minister said.

Mir said that the administration had already informed the PTI about today’s events but the party ignored our request. 

"In light of the situation, the Punjab government has decided to ban rallies today. Section 144 is being imposed to avoid any untoward incident," the information minister.

He also noted that the electioneering begins 22 days before the polls ‘which means that the party is starting its campaign before the schedule’. 

The Election Commission of Pakistan has announced polls in Punjab on April 30.

The minister advised PTI Chairman Imran Khan to cooperate with the government, ‘if he continues challenging the writ of the state then we will have to show strictness’. 

Administration calls in Rangers 

In view of the election rally announced by PTI Chairman Imran Khan today, the Punjab government had also called Rangers. 

Meanwhile, the district administration wrote a letter to PTI Lahore President Sheikh Imtiaz Mehmood in which it was communicated to the party that due to ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) matches, Jashne Baharan and other events, the district administration was unable to provide security. 

It was stated in the letter that there were risks of a terrorist incident; so better avoid gatherings.  

The party was asked to change schedule of the rally. 

This is the second time in less than a week that the Punjab government has imposed Section 144 ahead of the rally of the party. 

On Saturday, DC Lahore cautioned the PTI leaders that if the party did not postpone the rally, there would be no choice but to implement Section 144 in the city.

The PTI had sought a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from Lahore Deputy Commissioner for taking out a rally from two possible routes on Sunday.

In a letter written to DC Lahore, PTI proposed a route that would start from Zaman Park at 2 pm and end at Data Darbar after passing through Garhi Shahu, Allama Iqbal Road, Railway Station, Brandreth Road, Shah Aalmi Chowk, and Bhatti Gate.    

According to the second proposed route, the PTI chairman would lead the rally that would start from his Zaman Park residence at 2 pm and culminate at Data Darbar after passing through Canal Road, Ferozepur Road, Litton Road, and Lower Mall. 

The Lahore administration has been informed about both routes but it refused to give permission saying Sunday’s rally could not be allowed due to the cricket match being played in Qadhafi Stadium.   

PTI leader Hamad Azhar said if the first proposed route was not allowed, the rally would use the old route. 

“Imran Khan will address the participants of the rally at different points on the route while sitting inside the bulletproof vehicle, “he added.

Former prime minister and PTI Chairman Imran Khan on Saturday announced he would lead a rally from his Zaman Park residence in Lahore at 2:00 PM on Sunday (today) in connection with an election campaign.

Addressing the party workers and supporters via a video link, he said that the people of Lahore would show that they would not surrender to oppression. “People of the city will come out of their homes in large numbers tomorrow,” he said emphatically.

Roads closed

The authorities closed all roads leading to Zaman Park in Lahore.

The road connecting Mall Road with canal was shut down. Harpanspura Road was also closed down. 

Heavy deployment of police was ensured to prevent PTI workers from entering the rally venue.

LHC main gate chained

The main gate of Lahore High Court was locked and chained after Section 144 was imposed in the city. 

The police were also deployed on the inside of the LHC.

Reporters: Meher Ali Akbar and Usman Khadim