Faisalabad power show: PTI prepares for massive muscle-flex rally

District govt has announced a free music concert and circus show at the same time.

FAISALABAD:

As the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf gears up for its power show at Dhobi Ghat on Sunday (today), several impediments and distractions, ascribed to the district administration, have propped up throughout the city.

PTI officials claim that the government has “gone all out in creating hurdles”. From permit restrictions and road constructions to lack of security and threatening transporters, the party leaders claim that they have had to fight tooth and nail to make the demonstration possible.

They allege that the government had initially refused them permission to host the demonstration at the historic Dhobi Ghat but gave in when they threatened to demonstrate in front of the district coordination officer’s house.

PTI chief Imran Khan and other party leaders are scheduled to address the gathering. More than 20,000 chairs have been set up at Dhobi Ghatt. The ground has also been decorated with flexes and large posters emblazoned with Khan’s pictures.

PTI Central Executive Committee member Dr Asad Muazzam told The Express Tribune that the demonstration will be a historic event which will “jolt the castles of rulers who have fooled the nation for decades”.  He said the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz had promised to provide people basic amenities after coming to power. “It seems that they have forgotten their promises and have left the people to deal with the worst crises in Pakistan’s history which keep aggravating by the day.”

Security arrangements

Police personnel supervised by Madina Town Superintendent Nasir Ahmad Sial flag-marched in the city on Saturday in connection with the demonstration.

More than 40 police vans traversed from Liaquat Road to Chiniot Bazaar Chowk, Kotwali Chowk to Imam Bargah Chowk, from behind the GC University to Nishat Cinema, Narowala Road to Katchery Bazaar, Rajbah Road to Jhang Bazaar Chowk, Novelty Bridge to Samundri Road, D-Type Colony to Satiana Road and D-Ground to Koh-i-Noor Chowk to ensure security at the demonstration.

City Police Officer Dr Haider Asrif said women’s police force had also been summoned to check and ensure security for women at the event. He said eight superintendents, 12 deputy superintendents, 40 inspectors and 2,860 policemen have been deputed to ensure security at the protest venue.

He said sniffer dogs would be used to clear the stage area. Plain-clothed and uniformed police commandos will be posted around the stage and at all entrances to Dhobi Ghat. No one will be allowed to enter the venue except via the walk-through security gates, he said.Special police commandos have been deployed at buildings around the venue. PTI Central Media Coordinator Rizwan Chaudhry said, “We requested security for Sunday’s demonstration but were told to post our volunteers.”

He said the government was employing “cheap tactics” to hinder the demonstration. “We have been told that there are security concerns while they are arranging a public concert on the same day. How do they plan to arrange security for that?”

As many as 500 PTI members have volunteered to ensure security at the venue, Chaudhry said.“Ensuring security is the government’s responsibility. This is a peaceful protest in which citizens will be participating. The government cannot be absolved of its responsibility.”

He said the government had also threatened transporters with cancellation of their permits if they facilitated crowds to the demonstration.

The office of the Faisalabad district coordination officer (DCO) says all security arrangements and administrative matters have been taken up with the PTI leadership.

Riaz Anjum, PSO to the DCO, told The Express Tribune that the DCO had held a meeting with PTI leaders and they had seemed satisfied with the arrangements. Rejecting claims of any compromise regarding security arrangements for the demonstration, Anjum said as many as 3,000 police constables had been deputed. “The arrangements have been made while keeping our standard security precautions in mind.”

Wooing the crowd

The administration has also announced a free musical night at Bohranwala Ground on Sunday evening. PTI members say this is a bid to distract crowds from their demonstration. Famous Indian and Pakistani singers have been invited to perform at the concert. Lucky Irani Circus has been invited to set up the big top on Sunday to coincide with the PTI’s show. Tickets will be sold at discounted rates.

Several roads, including Jail Road, Jhang Road, Susan Road and Radio Pakistan Road, leading to Dhobi Ghat have been dug up for re-carpeting.

Asad Muazzam of the PTI criticised the administration for arranging the musical night on the same day and time and said “such tactics cannot save the rulers from the wrath of the nation”.

He said people were aware of the government’s ill-conceived and anti-people policies.

PSO Anjum rejected the PTI officials’ claims regarding the recent re-carpeting of all major arteries leading to the venue. “All road constructions have been in progress since March,” he said. “Our deadline for these roads is June 30 and such constructions are taking place with the deadline in mind.” He said the government was not trying to affect the turnout at the PTI rally. The permit for holding the rally, he said, was granted under conditions which are standard for any such activity.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 25^th, 2014.