PTI denied permission to hold rally in Islamabad

Islamabad DC rejects PTI’s application for public gathering citing security reasons

ISLAMABAD:

The Islamabad Deputy Commissioner (DC) has denied Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) permission to gather a rally on March 30.

The application for the rally was given by PTI Regional President Amir Masood Mughal. The Islamabad High Court had ordered the DC Islamabad to take a decision on the application submitted in two days.

The Islamabad DC rejected the application citing the law and order situation. He said that the public gathering cannot be allowed in light of reports from the law enforcement agencies about the recent activities of the outlawed group, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

He also added that the PTI had also previously violated the rules by giving an affidavit when the party had been allowed to hold meetings and rallies.

Along with this, the response to the application also stated that the return of foreign troops which participated in the Pakistan Day parade on March 23 will continue in the coming weeks. Additionally, the federal police are presently engaged in special security and sehri and iftar duties of Ramazan. A heavy contingent of the federal police will also be required on Al-Quds Day.

The DC has sent a report detailing his reasoning for denying PTI to the Federal Secretary, Home and Chief Commissioner.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 26^th, 2024.