PTI Lahore rally abruptly halted as authorities cut power after 6pm deadline

LAHORE:

The district administration cut power and seized the stage at a Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) rally in Lahore after the event exceeded the permitted time limit of 6pm on Saturday.

The administration instructed PTI leadership to end the rally after the allotted time expired and warned of legal action for any violations of the no-objection certificate (NOC). The rally was permitted from 2pm to 6pm, but the PTI leadership could not arrive at Ring Road Kahna by the deadline.

As participants began leaving the rally, all lights at the Kahna venue were turned off, plunging the rally site into darkness. The only source of illumination came from the mobile phone lights of the remaining attendees.

Sources reported that police were deployed at entry and exit points of Lahore, and the administration ordered the immediate evacuation of the rally site. As police officials entered the venue, attendees began leaving voluntarily.

Despite the administration’s efforts to block the road with containers, Gandapur, along with thousands of supporters, managed to reach the rally. His convoy reportedly included over 500 vehicles, 50 buses, and several rescue vehicles.

Upon arriving at the rally, Gandapur gave a brief speech, stating, "I broke through all the barriers to reach you. Are you happy? I am here, and my attendance is marked." He further vowed to secure the release of PTI founder Imran Khan "soon." After seeking the audience’s approval, he ended his address and departed.

Gandapur's video message

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur announced that he would release a comprehensive statement the following day, citing his inability to deliver a complete address at the PTI rally in Lahore.

He reiterated his stance against the government's proposed constitutional amendments, expressing firm support for the judiciary.

In a video message posted from his vehicle after the rally, Gandapur thanked the people of Lahore for attending despite the obstacles. "I reached the rally site despite all the hurdles. I want to thank the brave people of Lahore for standing against fascism," he said. He explained that technical difficulties had interrupted his speech and promised to release his full statement the next day.

Gandapur also mentioned that by the time he reached the venue, much of the setup had been dismantled, but he remains committed to his cause and promised to clarify his position fully in the upcoming address.

PTI workers clash with police at Kala Shah Kaku Motorway Interchange

Reacting to local adiminstration's actions, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf workers clashed with police at the Kala Shah Kaku Motorway Interchange near Ferozwala, resulting in several vehicles being damaged.

Eyewitnesses reported that the enraged PTI supporters smashed windows of multiple vehicles during the confrontation. The protesters blocked roads in both directions, chanting slogans and causing significant disruption.

The violent actions of the protesters severely impacted traffic flow in the area, leading to widespread chaos.

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur was expected to conclude the rally with his speech, but his convoy from K-P did not arrive at the venue within the allotted time. Other senior PTI leaders, including Asad Qaiser and Omar Ayub, were also unable to attend.

In a statement on its social media platform X, PTI alleged that the Lahore administration had blocked Gandapur's convoy from entering the city, forcing him to make his way to the rally on foot. The party shared a video showing the KP Chief Minister walking alongside his supporters en route to the venue.

"The rally must conclude by 6pm," stated DC Lahore Syed Musa Raza in a press release, emphasising the need for immediate compliance. He warned that any violation of the No Objection Certificate (NOC) would result in legal action.

To manage the situation, police have been deployed at key entry and exit points in Lahore, with specific instructions from the district administration to enforce the rally’s end time. Sources indicate that the New Ravi Bridge has been completely closed, causing significant inconvenience to citizens.

Furthermore, the police have been instructed to file cases against any violations of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) related to the event. As the rally extends beyond its permitted time, the authorities remain vigilant, prepared to take necessary actions to ensure compliance with the law.

Many attendees were seen parking their vehicles four to five kilometres away and walking to the venue, carrying party and national flags. They also wore PTI-branded scarves and caps.

The rally site and the surrounding routes had no lighting arrangements, causing difficulties for participants. Near General Hospital, heavy traffic congestion was reported, with long queues of vehicles, motorcycles, and rickshaws. Some supporters from Lahore and other cities struggled to find their way to the venue, getting stuck between Ferozepur Road and Defence Road.

“PTI’s allocated time for the rally has ended,” stated Azma Bukhari. She added, “They should now pack up their tents, canopies, and sound systems and go home.”

Meanwhile, a heavy police presence was observed along various points on the route to the rally venue, with strict security measures in place.

Stalls selling PTI-branded items were set up along the route, and thousands of chairs were placed at the venue in preparation for the event.

Before the rally, PTI supporters claimed that police had begun confiscating their lights, generators, and speakers, and were preventing them from reaching the rally site.

'Punjab govt panicking'

Meanwhile, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government spokesperson Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif has accused the Punjab government of panicking as the K-P convoy successfully reached Lahore for the rally, despite road closures and other obstacles.

"The Punjab government’s fear is proof of the rally's success," Saif remarked. He criticised the authorities for blocking routes leading to the rally site, claiming that the excuse of the rally's time limit being exceeded was a cover for their weakness.

Saif further stated that the enthusiasm of the people of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa is the real reason behind the Punjab government’s panic. He called the road closures around the rally site a clear sign of the administration’s failure.

"The arrival of the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa convoy in Lahore is a demonstration of public power against the government," Saif asserted. He dismissed the Punjab government's claims as false, highlighting that the rally's success was evident from the public’s passion.

He also pointed out that the government's attempts to stop the people of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa from attending the rally had failed. "Using the time limit as an excuse, the Punjab government is trying to hide its shortcomings," he said.

Despite the roadblocks, Saif confirmed that the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa convoy managed to reach the rally site. "The Punjab government’s fear is evidence that this rally is historic," he added.

Barrister Saif also stated that the government's frantic efforts to stop the convoy were a sign of their nervousness in the face of public power. "The attempt to forcibly stop the rally only proves its success," he concluded, congratulating PTI on holding a successful event.

Speeches

In his address to rally participants, PTI Chairman Barrister Ghohar Ali Khan criticised the Punjab government for obstructing the issuance of a no-objection certificate (NOC) for a peaceful public rally. He emphasised that PTI would accept nothing less than "true democracy" and vowed to continue the struggle for democratic governance and an independent judiciary. Gohar urged those in power to heed the demands of the people, who, he said, were calling for genuine democracy and judicial independence.

PTI General Secretary Salman Akram Raja echoed these sentiments, calling on supporters to show courage and resist oppression. He accused that a "puppet" regime is installed in the country by stealing the PTI's mandate in the February 8 elections. He condemned the recent attempt of constitutional amendments, which he claimed were intended to undermine the judiciary and ban PTI. Raja specifically criticised the amendments for attempting to manipulate the Supreme Court of Pakistan and vowed not to recognise Justice Qazi Faez Isa as the Chief Justice of Pakistan.

Raja further alleged that the government was seeking to establish a parallel constitutional court under Justice Isa through the proposed amendments. He warned that despite the government's efforts, they had failed to convict former prime minister Imran Khan through legitimate means and were now resorting to "military courts." He declared this a "red line" for PTI and the people of Pakistan, affirming that the party would continue its struggle for Khan's release.

Opposition Leader in the Punjab Assembly, Malik Ahmed Khan Bhachar, accused the provincial government of creating hurdles to prevent workers from attending the rally, claiming that Punjab Police conducted raids to arrest and harass PTI members. He emphasised that the majority of attendees were from Lahore and expressed the party's unwavering support for Imran Khan and their rights.

PTI senior leader Sardar Latif Khosa also lambasted the government for attempting to amend the constitution to impose Justice Qazi Faez Isa as Chief Justice. He rejected recent reshuffle within the Supreme Court, describing it as part of a government strategy to stack the judiciary with favorable benches. Khosa warned that such actions could have serious consequences, referencing the political turmoil that led to the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government in Bangladesh.

The rally saw speeches from other prominent PTI figures, including Sheikh Waqas Akram, Shoaib Shaheen, Umar Dar, and Aoun Abbas Bappi. Snippets of Imran Khan’s previous speeches were played, and attendees chanted slogans demanding his release.

The PTI's power show was permitted after a deadlock between the party and the Punjab government was resolved late the previous night, with authorities granting permission for the rally under 43 conditions. PTI had originally requested to hold the gathering at Minar-e-Pakistan, but the Lahore district administration instead designated Kahna along the Lahore Ring Road as the venue.

Ahead of the event, PTI supporters alleged that police had confiscated their lights, generators, and speakers, and hindered their access to the rally site. Local PTI leaders, legislators, and ticket holders led their groups to the venue, marking a significant political gathering in Lahore since the arrest of PTI founding chairman Imran Khan.

Former federal minister Hammad Azhar also emerged from hiding to lead his supporters to the rally, while Qaisara Elahi, the wife of PTI President and former Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhary Pervez Elahi, led a convoy to Kahna.

Although the motorway between Lahore and Islamabad remained open, barbed wire and police checkpoints were observed along several routes leading to the rally site. Police instructed participants not to park on the Ring Road, deploying forklifts and cranes to remove any vehicles in violation of these orders. Containers were also placed at multiple points along Ferozepur Road and other key access routes.

However, a police spokesperson denied reports of road blockages, stating that footage from the Safe City monitoring system showed no obstructions. He assured that traffic was flowing normally and clarified that no containers had been installed at Shahdara Chowk.

The convoy includes party leaders and workers from southern districts and Peshawar City, making its way to Lahore via the Swabi route, Express News reported.

A container was also prepared for the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister and transported to the Peshawar Motorway Toll Plaza, with two additional containers for other party leaders.

Party sources confirmed that the convoy departed from Peshawar around 11 am, with CM Gandapur leading the group.

The containers, which also included DJ music for party anthems, were part of the preparations to energise participants.

Along the way, a reception camp was set up at the Swabi Interchange, where convoys from different parts of the province gathered before proceeding to Lahore.

In preparation for the rally, PTI workers armed with sticks were ready to face any obstacles during the journey. Photos of these workers were shared by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister in a WhatsApp group.

Additionally, PTI leaders have voiced concerns over police crackdowns in Lahore.

Provincial Assembly member Fazal Elahi declared that no force could stop them from reaching Lahore, stating, "The bridegroom is coming, be prepared."

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Information Adviser Barrister Saif condemned the recent police actions, accusing the government of arresting 20 PTI workers for holding a corner meeting.

He warned that Maryam Nawaz would be held responsible for her "fascist tactics" and urged the government to respect PTI’s right to peaceful assembly, calling for adherence to standard operating procedures (SOPs) to ensure a peaceful environment.

Meanwhile, reports indicated that government resources, including cranes, ambulances, fire brigades, and other machinery, had been directed to support PTI’s activities, sparking criticism over the misuse of public funds for a political event.

ATC issues arrest warrants for Gandapur, others

Earlier during the day, an anti-terrorism court in Islamabad issued non-bailable arrest warrants for KP Chief Minister Gandapur and several other PTI leaders.

The court also declared PTI leader Umar Tanveer Butt an absconder.

Judge Tahir Abbas Supra rejected Ali Amin’s pre-arrest bail request, which was linked to a terrorism case involving the attack and vandalism at the Judicial Complex, filed by I-9 police station.

Ali Amin’s lawyer, Raja Zahoor Hassan, submitted an application requesting an exemption from Ali Amin’s appearance.

The court dismissed the request, noting that an absence request had also been made on September, 4 followed by Ali Amin's attendance at a rally on September 8.

Following his absence, the court denied Ali Amin’s bail application and issued non-bailable warrants for Ali Amin Gandapur, Wasif Qayyum Abbasi, Raja Rashid Hafeez, and Amir Mehmood Kiani.

Umar Tanveer Butt was declared an absconder due to continuous absences from court proceedings.

The court, however, accepted an exemption application from PTI leader Faisal Javed and adjourned the case until 3rd October.

Petion in LHC seeks release of detained workers

Ahead of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's rally in Lahore today, former provincial assembly member Zainab Umair, through Advocate Azhar Siddique submmited a miscellaneous petition at the Lahore High Court, seeking the release of all detained party workers.

The petition argues that detention orders for PTI workers and leaders had been issued across Punjab in violation of the law and the Constitution.

The petition requested the court to immediately annul the detention orders and issue an order for the release of all detained individuals.

Lahore has been on edge since the eve of the rally, with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) supporters reportedly clashing violently with police at Ring Road, Kahna, following the arrest of several party workers.

The unrest led to roadblocks, tyre burnings, and significant disruptions across parts of the city.

The incident occurred in the wake of a larger crackdown by law enforcement against PTI activists amid ongoing political turmoil in the country.

According to local sources, police detained dozens of PTI workers, transporting them to an undisclosed location in a prison van.

In response, outraged PTI supporters converged on Mini Market in Gulberg, blocking the main road and setting tyres ablaze.

A police spokesperson reported that the violence erupted near the Origa Centre in Gulberg during a routine police checkpoint.

This will be updated...