Islamabad administration cancels PTI jalsa permission over ‘security concerns’

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad District Administration has denied permission to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to hold the rally in the federal capital, scheduled to be held on August 22.

The notification issued by Chief Commissioner Islamabad stated that this decision follows recommendations from the District Intelligence Committee.

Earlier today, the Chief Commissioner chaired a meeting of the committee, which also included the Inspector General of Police (IG) Islamabad and the Deputy Commissioner (DC) Islamabad.

The meeting reviewed the No Objection Certificate (NOC) previously issued by the DC Islamabad to the PTI rally. IG Islamabad Syed Ali Nasir raised security concerns due to several ongoing events, leading the Commissioner to suspend the NOC granted on July 31.

These events include a planned protest in front of the Supreme Court related to the Mubarak Sani case and the arrival of the Bangladesh cricket team.

In a separate development today, the Lahore High Court barred police from harassing or arresting PTI workers and leaders participating in the party’s Islamabad rally without a valid reason.

As per details, Justice Shaukat Ahmed heard the petition filed by the President of the Insaf Lawyers Forum, Punjab.

Earlier, PTI was permitted to hold a power rally at Tarnol Chowk Islamabad on August 22.  The rally was aimed to mobilize support for imprisoned PTI leader, former Prime Minister Imran Khan.

In the past, PTI’s request to conduct a rally in Islamabad has been denied several times before, the Islamabad High Court has previously denied permission for a rally, and PTI’s request to change the venue of the rally from the Islamabad suburb to the heart of the city. However, the court denied the plea considering security and safety measures.