Chaos ensues after PTI office opens in Pindi
PTI leaders could not be reached despite several attempts to contact them.
The workers’ unruly behaviour forced Khan to leave the office premises without making a formal address. PHOTO: Agha Mehroz
RAWALPINDI:
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) activists thronged its newly-established office in Rawalpindi district after it was inaugurated by party chief Imran Khan on Monday.
Hundreds of PTI workers were seen holding party flags and chanting slogans that read, “Imran Khan is the next prime minister.”
Most participants were youngsters and included women, who pledged that they would work to strengthen the party and the country.
However, the workers’ unruly behaviour forced Khan to leave the office premises without making a formal address.
The workers clashed with gatekeepers after the latter tried to prevent them from entering the office, breaking window panes and chairs in the process.
They didn’t spare media persons, some of whom were even manhandled.
“The presence of such a large number of activists has sent a clear message to the PML-N that it has lost in Rawalpindi,” said PTI worker Talha.
No efforts were made to divert traffic to alternative routes, as hundreds of vehicles remained stranded on both sides of Benazir Bhutto Road.
However, the Traffic SSP claimed that the PTI had informed him about the rally and that he had made adequate security arrangements to deal with the situation.
PTI leaders could not be reached despite several attempts to contact them.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 23rd, 2013.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) activists thronged its newly-established office in Rawalpindi district after it was inaugurated by party chief Imran Khan on Monday.
Hundreds of PTI workers were seen holding party flags and chanting slogans that read, “Imran Khan is the next prime minister.”
Most participants were youngsters and included women, who pledged that they would work to strengthen the party and the country.
However, the workers’ unruly behaviour forced Khan to leave the office premises without making a formal address.
The workers clashed with gatekeepers after the latter tried to prevent them from entering the office, breaking window panes and chairs in the process.
They didn’t spare media persons, some of whom were even manhandled.
“The presence of such a large number of activists has sent a clear message to the PML-N that it has lost in Rawalpindi,” said PTI worker Talha.
No efforts were made to divert traffic to alternative routes, as hundreds of vehicles remained stranded on both sides of Benazir Bhutto Road.
However, the Traffic SSP claimed that the PTI had informed him about the rally and that he had made adequate security arrangements to deal with the situation.
PTI leaders could not be reached despite several attempts to contact them.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 23rd, 2013.