Convoys turned rallies: Notices issued for code of conduct violations

Mujhtaba Shujahur Rehman to be served notice soon.

LAHORE:

The district coordination officer issued show cause notices to the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) and the Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) on Monday for organising rallies on April 20 without permission from the City District Government Lahore (CDGL) and violating the election commission’s code of conduct.

Both parties have been given three days to file replies. In case a party failed to reply or give a satisfactory explanation, the matter would be referred to the election commission.

Earlier, District Returning Officer (DRO) Nazir Ahmed Gajana had issued a notice to Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf leaders Imran Khan, Abdul Aleem Khan and others for April 26, for violating Sections 38 and 39 of the election commission’s code of conduct at their rally. District Coordinating Officer Rizwan Mehboob had also been directed to submit a report in two days.

The code of conduct stipulates that political parties must obtain permission from the CDGL at least three days prior to holding a procession or rally.  It is the CDGL’s discretion to grant or refuse permission keeping in view the security situation. No political party has so far requested permission to hold rallies, however some applications to take out processions have been sent to the CDGL.

The Operations DIG, in a letter to the DRO on Sunday, said he had received reports from the Civil Lines division and District Security Branch SP regarding violations of the code of conduct in a PTI rally. He said he had also received a CD containing eight photographs, 10 video clips and three reports from the daily diaries of the Race Course, Old Anarkali and Civil Lines police stations as proof of the violations.

The reports from the diaries stated that as many as 2,500 PTI supporters had gathered on The Mall led by PTI Lahore President Aleem Khan and Shoaib Siddiqui, a candidate.

The rally had obstructed traffic on one side of The Mall, the reports said. There were 90 cars, 50 motorcycles and 9 mini trucks with loud speakers installed on their sides. The participants had blocked traffic on The Mall from 5pm to 9:40pm.  Imran Khan later boarded the truck that led the rally towards Data Darbar.

PTI Central Information Secretary Shirin Mazari said that the public joining Khan’s convoy did not make it a rally. There was no address at any point by Khan who was only opening a party office, she said. A reply would be sent by the quarters concerned after the necessary consultations, said Mazari.

PAT Media Spokesperson Hafeez Ullah said he was not aware about the notice.

The CCPO, during a meeting at the commissioner’s office, said any political convoy in which candidates made speeches or gestures would be deemed a rally not a convoy.

CDGL Staff Officer Tariq Zaman said a show cause notice might also be sent to Pakistan Muslim League- Nawaz candidate Mujtaba Shujahur Rehman for holding a rally near his new campaign office without seeking the permission. Rehman told The Express Tribune that he was only travelling around his constituency, PP-141, meeting people there. He said his supporters started following his car to show their gratitude.

DCO Mehboob said any party found violating the code of conduct would be sent a show cause notice. He said the Special Branch had sent him no report on Rehman’s rally.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 23^rd, 2013.