PTI pranked govt; cancels rally after Islamabad closure

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has decided to cancel its power show scheduled today at Islamabad’s Tarnol area following the district administration’s cancellation of the No Objection Certificate (NOC).

According to the details, the announcement was made by the PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan saying that the Islamabad power show has been postponed at the direction of the party founder Imran Khan. A party notification quoted Imran Khan as saying that the government wanted to spread chaos under the garb of the rally.

Yesterday, Islamabad Chief Commissioner denied permission to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) amid security concerns raised by the District Intelligence Committee.

Imran Khan’s party has rescheduled a public gathering in the federal capital on September 8 after the deputy commissioner issued the notification allowing the political party to hold a rally on the day.

‘Islamabad closed’

Ahead of PTI’s jalsa today in Islamabad despite the cancellation of NOC, the federal government and Punjab government imposed Section 144 banning public gatherings for two days August 22- 24.

District administration sealed all entry and exit points of the federal capital and announced the closure of public and private educational institutions. Metro Bus service has also been suspended in Rawalpindi and Islamabad.

Moreover, Police sealed the red zone, Faizabad, the Double Road, and Chongi No 26 bus stop, and additional security was put on high alert. The road closure on major thoroughfares leaves people stuck in traffic as long queues of vehicles are formed.

Authorities have placed containers on almost every interchange of the Lahore-Islamabad M-2 Motorway such as Kalarkahar, Balaksar, and Neelah Dullah Interchange interchanges. GT Road N5 connecting Lahore with Islamabad also closed at several choke points.

However, all roads within the capital city are open for traffic, i.e., Srinagar Highway, Capt Kernal Shair Khan Road, Margalla Road, Jinnah Avenue, 9th Avenue, 7th Avenue, etc.

Rally NOC canceled

On August 21, the Islamabad District Administration canceled NOC to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to hold the rally in the federal capital, scheduled to be held on August 22 today.

The decision was taken during a meeting chaired by Islamabad Chief Commissioner Chaudhry Mohammad Ali Randhawa. During the meeting, Islamabad Inspector General of Police (IGP) Ali Nasir Rizvi pointed out the security concerns due to multiple events.

Additionally, the administration also noted that the Bangladesh cricket team is in Islamabad, adding that it is difficult to control the crowd of a rally.

“A few days ago, some protesters also reached the Supreme Court building,” it said, adding that in such circumstances, permission to hold public rallies cannot be given.