PTI seeks Liaquat Bagh rally permit

District admin has decided not to allow gathering at historic venue, claim sources

RAWALPINDI:

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) Punjab chapter has applied to the deputy commissioner, seeking permission to hold a political rally in Rawalpindi’s historic Liaquat Bagh venue.

The application has been submitted by the party’s North Punjab president, Seemabiya Tahir Satti. It has been argued in the application that the PTI is the largest political party in the country and has won the most votes and the most seats in the February 2024 general elections.

“The applicant is a respectable citizen of Pakistan who has raised her voice for upholding the constitution and law at every forum. She belongs to PTI of which she is the president of North Punjab. The petitioner secured more than 100,000 votes in the elections,” the contents of the application read.

“The PTI is the strongest political party in Pakistan. It also has full freedom to hold peaceful rallies and gatherings. PTI has organised a rally on April 19 at Liaquat Bagh which should be allowed,” the application said.

The party leader requested for issuance of a permit for her party to hold the rally on April 19 at Liaquat Bagh.

Meanwhile, sources in the office of the deputy commissioner told The Express Tribune that the application was received. However, they said, the deputy commissioner, on the instructions of the Punjab government, had decided not to allow the political gathering.

They said the application will be formally rejected this week and the applicant will be notified accordingly.

On the other hand, PTI sources said after the deputy commissioner’s refusal, the party will file a petition in the Lahore High Court’s Rawalpindi Bench, seeking permission to hold the political rally in Liaquat Bagh.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 3^rd, 2024.