PTI to go ahead with capital march sans NOC

The lack of a no-objection certificate seems to be no problem for the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf as it vows to continue its Thursday's march towards the Tarnol Chowk of the federal capital.

On Wednesday, Islamabad district administration decided not to grant permission to the PTI to hold its rally in Islamabad.

A notification regarding the decision was issued by the chief commissioner. According to the document, the decision was made based on the recommendations of the District Intelligence Committee.

The committee held a meeting, chaired by the chief commissioner, and it was also attended by the Islamabad inspector general of police and deputy commissioner.

The NOC for the rally, issued by the DC, was reviewed during the meeting. The IG expressed security concerns due to various events taking place. Additionally, a suspicious bag was found at the site of the PTI rally.

The bag was placed within the mosque premises. Following the discovery of the bag, Islamabad police deployed security around the mosque and called in the bomb disposal squad. Measures were also taken to keep local residents away from the area.

Meanwhile, the former ruling party has vowed to proceed with its planned rally in Islamabad, despite the cancellation of NOC previously granted to the party.

PTI Islamabad President Amir Mughal has confirmed that while the district administration rescinded the permission, the party remains committed to holding the event. "The protest will take place as scheduled," Mughal asserted, emphasising that peaceful political demonstrations are a constitutional right.

The district administration's decision to revoke the NOC was based on a report from the district intelligence committee. This move was finalised in a meeting chaired by Islamabad Chief Commissioner Chaudhry Mohammad Ali Randhawa, with the NOC initially issued by the deputy commissioner under scrutiny.

Islamabad Inspector General of Police (IGP) Ali Nasir Rizvi highlighted the heightened security risks during the meeting, noting that the Bangladesh cricket team is currently in the capital, which complicates crowd management for the PTI gathering.

The administration also cited recent incidents, such as protesters approaching the Supreme Court building, as reasons for the heightened security concerns, ultimately leading to the withdrawal of permission for the rally.

This development comes just a day before the protest, as announced by Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif, advisor on information to the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa chief minister.

PTI chairman and former prime minister Imran Khan resolved to hold the rally in Islamabad on August 22, marking a significant event in the party's ongoing campaign.

Information Minister Attaullah Tarar expressed skepticism about the opposition party being allowed to hold the rally, citing their history.

He also referenced the peaceful sit-in recently conducted by Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) against inflated electricity bills, which was not permitted to enter Islamabad, suggesting that similar restrictions might apply to PTI.

In contrast, PTI leader Sher Afzal Marwat declared that the rally will proceed regardless of government opposition, stating that the caravan from K-P would be so large that no force can stop it.

Marwat assured that the rally would be peaceful, with participants unarmed. However, he warned that any violence or firing would provoke a nationwide response.

Convoys from K-P will depart from Swabi, led by Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur. PTI workers have been instructed to reach Swabi by 2:00pm.

Chief Minister Gandapur has declared the action of the Islamabad commissioner to cancel the NOC for the PTI rally as illegal. He announced that he would participate in the rally, joining from Swabi in the form of a procession.

He announced that he would personally lead the rally and that they would hold the gathering at Tarnol Chowk at all costs. "We will show them that Imran Khan is our leader. Imran Khan was first our love, then became our passion, and now he has become our determination. Today will prove that power lies with the people," Gandapur declared.

Punjab govt bans gatherings

Meanwhile, the Punjab Government has banned all public gatherings, including political rallies and protests, from August 22 to 24, citing security concerns. However, skeptics see this development as a move to hinder the PTI from holding its rally in Islamabad. The Punjab government's notification warns that political gatherings could attract terrorists and miscreants, disrupting public peace and order.

Ever since the PTI government was ousted, the party has faced restrictions on holding public gatherings, and attempts to defy these limitations have been met with harsh measures.

(WITH INPUT FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT IN LAHORE)