Court clears way for PTI rally

Administration limits event to 6pm, PTI pushes for extension until 11pm

LAHORE:

Though the district administration has granted the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) permission to hold a public gathering at Kahna near Ring Road, following an order by the Lahore High Court, a disagreement persisted over the timing of the event.

The administration has approved the gathering to take place between 3:00pm and 6:00pm, PTI insists on extending the event until 11 pm. The Lahore High Court's bench, led by Justice Farooq Haider, disposed of PTI's plea for holding a gathering at Minar-e-Pakistan, urging the administration to make a timely decision.

The court's proceedings included key officials such as Punjab Chief Secretary, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Punjab Dr Usman Anwar and the Lahore commissioner and deputy commissioner.

Justice Tariq Nadeem suggested the possibility of designating multiple venues in Lahore for political gatherings, given the city's size.

He emphasised the importance of creating a lasting impact with decisions that benefit the public.

During the hearing, PTI lawmaker Sardar Latif Khan Khosa accused the police of harassing party members, a claim the IGP denied. PTI's counsel Ishtiaq A Khan argued that while other parties have been allowed to hold rallies at Minar-e-Pakistan, PTI has faced obstacles in securing permission for its event.

The court dismissed a petition seeking to block PTI from holding its rally and directed the deputy commissioner to promptly resolve PTI's application. The rally is scheduled for today, September 21.

Meanwhile, police will install facial recognition cameras (FRCs) at key entry points of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) rally to identify individuals involved in the May 9 incidents.

The move is part of a broader crackdown ahead of the rally scheduled for Saturday. Similar surveillance technology is being deployed at various entry and exit points across the city to enhance security and support the ongoing manhunt for suspects.

In recent days, Lahore Police have intensified their operations against PTI workers and supporters, with dozens arrested as part of efforts to maintain control ahead of the rally. Special FRCs, linked to the Criminal Record Office (CRO), have been positioned at key rally entrances to help identify suspects involved in the May 9 unrest.

In addition to these technological measures, police have seized hundreds of containers, which are being transported to potential rally sites and major city entry and exit points. The containers are intended to block PTI workers from reaching the rally or entering the city.

Authorities are also preparing a list of 42 PTI leaders and workers who may face detention. The list includes prominent figures such as Mian Aslam Iqbal, son of Mian Mehmoodur Rasheed, Mian Hassan, Meher Wajid, Waqas Amjad, and Nadeem Bara. Several women PTI workers have also been named. Police allege these individuals were involved in spreading unrest and encouraging damage to private property.

The list has been submitted to request 90-day preventive detention orders to maintain law and order.

As police detain over 100 PTI workers, tensions are escalating in Lahore, with the political atmosphere growing increasingly charged ahead of the September 21 rally.