The district administration of Lahore on Friday granted the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) permission to stage a much-hyped rally today (Saturday) on the outskirts of the provincial capital after imposing 43 conditions on the organizers.
Earlier, the Lahore High Court (LHC) had directed the Lahore deputy commissioner to decide on the PTI’s demand of permission for the rally, with judges observing that the party should be allocated a location to exercise its right to free assembly. After several hours, the district administration announced it was granting the party permission to stage a public gathering, but not at its preferred venue of Minar-e-Pakistan. Rather, the venue was shifted to Kahna, on the outskirts of Lahore, and a no-objection certificate comprising 43 conditions issued.
Ahead of granting permission, police confirmed that they had detained nearly 100 PTI workers and leaders. Reports also emerged that police had been directed to monitor the rally and immediately apprehend any participants who remained an absconder or proclaimed offender in cases related to the May 9, 2023 riots.
The 43 conditions imposed in the NOC issued to the PTI include both standard guidelines—such as organizers ensuring security and preventing the use of any objectionable language or slogans—and directives that would be difficult to implement. Among the latter is a condition demanding a public apology of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur for his “vitriol” during the PTI’s Islamabad rally on Sept 8. Additionally, “jathas” from outside Lahore are directed to not disrupt the city’s daily routine; its timing has been fixed from 3 to 6 p.m.; no proclaimed offender is permitted to attend or address the rally; and no “Afghan paid manpower” is allowed to attend.
While the government maintains it has erected no barriers to anyone’s participation in the rally, the PTI claims some “containers” have been placed on roads to restrict movement.
For the PTI, the rally is being described as a “do or die” moment, with incarcerated founder Imran Khan maintaining the public must attend it in large numbers to “protect democracy and freedom.” In this context, the party’s senior leadership has vowed to ensure its success, with Gandapur set to lead a convoy from Swabi to Lahore to attend it. Key to the rally’s success, however, would lie in the party mobilizing its leadership in Punjab.