Quetta administration denies NOC to PTI for holding rally citing security concerns

QUETTA: The  Quetta district administration on Friday denied a no-objection certificate (NOC) to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) for holding a public rally in the district, owing to security concerns.

Imran Khan-founded party announced to stage a gathering at Quetta’s Hockey Ground on Saturday and moved to the local administration for permission in this regard.

However, despite the court order, Quetta Deputy Commissioner Saad bin Asad asked the PTI to postpone its rally, citing issues related to the law and order in the metropolis this month.

DC Quetta also said that various games were being played on the Hockey Ground and examinations of the public service commission were being held at the Ayub National Stadium, which is near to the requested venue. Saad, in a notification, warned of serious consequences for violators.

PTI spokesperson said that the local administration is employing delaying tactics in giving NOC despite the court’s obligation to provide a venue for jalsa.

Earlier, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur announced a public gathering in Swabi on November 9 to demand the release of the PTI founding chairman Imran Khan.

On Wednesday, former National Assembly speaker Asad Qaiser in a media talk said, the gathering was meant to highlight the fact that the party’s mandate had been stolen in the last general elections and the government’s failure to restore the rule of law in the country.