BB’s death anniversary: PPP denied permission to hold Liaquat Bagh rally

Rawalpindi administration cites ‘security situation’ as reason behind the decision

RAWALPINDI: The district administration has denied Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) permission to hold a rally at Liaquat Bagh on December 27 to mark the 11th death anniversary of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto.

PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has announced to observe the event in Rawalpindi this year.

In a notification issued on Monday, Rawalpindi Deputy Commissioner Saifullah Dogar said police and the special branch had recommended against holding a public gathering at the venue owing to prevailing security situation. Therefore, “permission for holding jalsa at Liaquat Bagh by Mr Bilawal Bhutto Zardari cannot be granted”, he said.

Addressing a press conference earlier in the day in Karachi, Bilawal accused the government of creating obstacles in his party’s plans to observe late Benazir’s death anniversary in Rawalpindi, saying that the authorities had not yet issued permission for the event.

Bilawal refuses to appear before NAB on Dec 24

Bilawal slammed the government for suppressing the political activities in the country by harassing the opposition but insisted that the party would not compromise on its principles.

“The government wants to harass the opposition. Any opposition leader, who speaks up [against the government] is arrested. However, he added that the next year would the year of elections.