‘ECP stops PTI from organising rally on Labour Day’

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) President Fawad Chaudhry claimed on Sunday that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) stopped the political party from organising a rally on Labour Day, ARY News reported.

In a statement, Fawad Chaudhry said that ECP barred PTI from holding a public rally on May 1 (Labour Day) which is a surprise move. He added that May 1 is globally observed as Labour Day to express solidarity with the labourers.

He said that political parties across the globe organise rallies on Labour Day. Chaudhry slammed the commission by saying that ECP is performing all tasks except for elections.

He criticised ECP for banning the PTI rally and sending notices to its leaders. “Every move of the election commission is exhibiting partiality towards Imran Khan and banning PTI’s rally is illegal.”

The PTI president demanded the chief election commissioner (CEC) immediately withdraw the ‘illegal ban’ on PTI rallies in Lahore, Islamabad and Peshawar.

ECP, in a notice to Imran Khan, stated that the political parties needed to get permission from the district administration for power shows and rallies for adequate security and other arrangements.

In another development, PTI has been permitted to stage a rally from Liberty Chowk to Nasir Bagh on May 1. The district administration granted the permission after receiving an undertaking from PTI for May 1 rally to be organised from 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm.

Moreover, PTI was barred from establishing reception camps for the rally.

Earlier in the day, former premier and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chief Imran Khan said that the caretaker government is unconstitutional and PTI will demand its constitutional right in the upcoming rally in Lahore.

While addressing PTI workers and supporters via video link, Imran Khan said that PTI is going to organise a public rally from Liberty Chowk to Nasir Bagh tomorrow. He invited nationals to attend the rally to demand their constitutional rights.

He said the caretaker government is unconstitutional and PTI will demand its constitutional right.

“We have to stand beside the Supreme Court (SC) and the Constitution. These rulers are afraid and fleeing away from the elections.”