PTI seeks ECP’s intervention after Lahore admin denies permission for rally

LAHORE: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has sought intervention from the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) after Lahore administration denied permission for holding a rally in the provincial capital, scheduled to take place today (Sunday), ARY News reported.

Taking to Twitter, PTI senior vice president Fawad Chaudhry asked the electoral watchdog to take notice of Lahore’s administration’s ‘move’, saying that there was no justification for the implementation of Section 144 after announcement of the election schedule.

الیکشن کمیشن لاہور کی انتظامیہ کی اس روش کا نوٹس لے، الیکشن شیڈول کے اعلان کے بعد دفعہ 144 کے نفاذ کا کوئ جواز نہیں،اس وقت نون لیگ کی جلسیاں ہر جگہ ریاستی پروٹوکول میں ہو رہی ہیں اگر تحریک انصاف کو اس طرح محدود کیا گیا تو ردعمل آئے گا https://t.co/qVZ5TOnAm8

— Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) March 11, 2023

“PML-N [Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz] meetings are being held everywhere in the state protocol”, Fawad Chaudhry said, warning of a strong reaction if PTI is not allowed to hold rally.

Earlier in the day, former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan announced that he would lead a public rally tomorrow in connection with election campaign, launched for upcoming general elections in Punjab.

“I will lead the election rally tomorrow at 02:00pm to show them [the government] that we are not domesticated animals,” Imran Khan said, directing the party workers and supporters to prepare for the ‘election campaign’.

The PTI chief warned that the incumbent government will do anything to ‘run away’ from the elections, reiterating his claim of another assassination attempt on him or an explosion.

Later, it was reported that the Lahore administration denied permission to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to hold a public rally in the provincial capital.

Sources told ARY News that talks were held between Deputy Commissioner (DC) Lahore and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders for permission for public rally.

However, the deputy commissioner refused to grant PTI permission, citing the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL). The Lahore administration also warned of imposing Section 144 if the ‘party refuse to postpone the rally’.

Punjab polls

The Election Commission of Pakistan has announced the election schedule for the general election in Punjab. “Polling for the election of Punjab provincial assembly will be held on April 30,” the election commission announced.

READ: KP GOVERNOR ‘FAILS’ TO ANNOUNCE DATE FOR ELECTION

According to the election schedule, candidates could submit their nomination papers from March 12 to 14, while scrutiny of the papers will be held on March 22.

The candidates could withdraw their nomination papers up to April 05 and election symbols to candidates will be allotted on April 06, the ECP announced.

It is pertinent to mention here that President Dr Arif Alvi announced April 30 as the date for elections in Punjab.