PTI adamant on staging Lahore rally

Amid heightened tensions, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has announced that it will proceed with its scheduled rally in Lahore on September 21 despite ongoing police raids, arrests and legal challenges.

PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan confirmed on Wednesday that the rally will take place as planned.

The party's leadership has expressed determination to organize the rally, with or without the required No-Objection Certificate (NOC) from local authorities.

PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja said the party would not be intimidated by government actions. "We are not afraid of fascism and are ready to face jail, but the rally will happen on September 21," he declared.

Aleema Khan, sister of PTI founder Imran Khan, described the event as a stand for democracy and the rule of law. She said women from Lahore would lead the rally and pledged a peaceful protest despite potential police action.

"Whenever Lahore rises, all of Pakistan follows," he asserted.

To oversee preparations, the party has constituted a 27-member organisational committee led by PTI Lahore President Sheikh Imtiaz Mahmood and Secretary General Awais Younas.

Meanwhile, the police conducted raids across Lahore and other parts of the province, arresting several party members.

The PTI parliamentary leader in the Punjab Assembly, Ali Imtiaz Warraich, was briefly detained before being released. Additionally, a late-night raid was carried out at the residence of PTI leader Aliya Hamza, who had recently been released on bail after a 16-month imprisonment.

In response, PTI filed a petition with the Lahore High Court (LHC), seeking protection from the arrests.

The plea, submitted by Sheikh Imtiaz Mahmood and Yasir Gillani, argues that the police are violating the constitutional rights of PTI members.