On the eve of their showcase event PTI leader Tariq Naeemullah, who is responsible for logistic arrangements for the rally, told The Express Tribune that while the district administration had given them permission to hold the gathering at Qasim Bagh cricket ground, the Multan Electric Power Company (MEPCO) had disconnected power to the ground.
The ground had been non-functional for a score years and its power connection had been suspended.
“We were asked by the district government of Multan to pay all the unpaid bills, including that of sanitation, MEPCO and the SNGPL, among others before organising a rally,” said Naeemullah.
“We paid almost one million rupees in pending payments to all these organisations,” the logistics in charge added. “Rs80,000 were paid to MEPCO."
He added that the power supply company was assured that all other utility bills will be paid after the political gathering.
Despite the assurance, MEPCO has yet to restore the power connection to the ground.
“When we approached district government Multan, they said that an approval from their side had been given while the matter was with MEPCO and their technical staff now,” Naeemullah said.
Multan DCO Zahid Saleem confirmed to The Express Tribune that approval for the venue had been provided, and assured that all support to PTI for ground maintenance and facilitation will be provided. “I have also conveyed the issue to MEPCO authorities.”
On the other hand, MEPCO officials claim that they had not received any formal approval from the district government.
Security
District police Multan has already deputed 1,400 police personnel for Friday's rally.
500 policemen have also been called from Bahawalpur and Dera Ghazi Khan to bolster existing ranks.
COMMENTS (8)
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you have to ask your self why a billionaire running a country that survives on loans. how did this guy became billionaire and the country can not survive without loans and majority of people are at or below poverty line?
@ Muslim Leaguer Just the comment one expects from a Muslim Leaguer. Talking of 'lifetime chairman', what does 'N' in PML(N) stand for? Nehal Hashmi?
Let us be honest. Imran Khan had applied to the government to conduct the jalsa in Multan which has been approved and therefore it becomes officially obligatory on the part of the government to extend all possible assistance to Imran but it is too fortunate that the government has disconnected the electricity of the stadium despite the fact that PTI has paid the electricity bills of the stadium as shown by PTI worker on ARY TV last night where Imran is to address means that PM Nawaz and his younger brother CM Shahbaz are bent upon to create surmounted problems for Imran. Many will be discouraged to attend the jalsa if there is no electricity because anything fishy can be planted in the stadium to at least caret awe and terrify if not kill the attendees. Shame be added to GO NAWAZ GO. Iqbal Hadi Zaidi
PMLN through its local administration always try to obstruct opposition party Jalsa. PMLN and its supporters must understand that its not 90s era.Public is awake and so is the media.Such tactics would not work and this Jalsa will be a great success in spite of all the hurdles.PML N can purchase people like Javed Hashmi but true tiger and tigresses are not for sale and are with Imran Khan and PTI.These workers will come in large no to listen to Imran Khan.The era of Javed Hashmi type politics is comming to an end very soon.
You have got to ask yourself...where is all this money coming from.. two months of dharna..so many jalsas, logistics, marketing, rent, travel and what not... they must have spent a fortune on this...wouldn't the wealthy investors be expecting something in return when IK comes to power...I mean that is a simple investment rule...
@Muslim Leaguer: Elections in PTI can always choose any person as chairman other than Imran Khan. This is not a dynasty like the PML(n) and the PPP where the chairperson has to be from the family. What is "goons" ?
2,000 policemen, walk through barriers and other security equipment. Sanitation and cleanup work after the event. Damage to grass and facilities will of course happen. Electricity supply for public event. Good boost to economy by PTI.
The PTI goons should not pay the utility bills if they follow the orders of Lifetime Chairman Imran Khan's civil disobedience.