The Quetta administration on Friday denied the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) permission to stage a public rally in the district on Saturday (tomorrow), citing law and order concerns.
Last month, the PTI had announced it would stage a protest at Hockey Ground, Quetta, on Nov. 9. A spokesperson for the party said the court had directed the local administration to provide a suitable place for the rally and regretted that the deputy commissioner was employing delaying tactics instead of complying with the orders.
In his response, Quetta Deputy Commissioner Saad bin Saad urged the PTI to postpone its rally due to prevailing security concerns. He said examinations of public service commission were being held at the Ayub National Stadium, while several games were planned in the Hockey Ground, which required security deployment. He also warned that anyone who sought to protest without permission would face consequences.
The central leadership of the PTI, meanwhile, is striving to make its planned gathering at Swabi a success. Announced by Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur last week, the “power show” takes place on Nov. 9, with the PTI vowing it would announce a “final strategy” to oust the incumbent government and secure the release of party founder Imran Khan. Reportedly, all provincial leaders of the party have been directed to ensure their presence alongside supporters to make the gathering a success.