Rawalpindi Deputy Commissioner Hassan Waqar Cheema on Wednesday denied the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf permission to stage a rally at Liaquat Bagh, citing credible security threats and the imposition of Section 144, as well as ongoing fuel austerity measures.
“In view of the current threat spectrum, feedback from the LEAs, including credible risks to large open public gatherings, and the consequent danger to the life and property of the general public as well as participants, the [District Intelligence Committee] unanimously concluded that the requested activity may not be held,” read the notification.
It further noted that Section 144, banning gatherings of five or more people, remained imposed in Rawalpindi district.
“Furthermore, the [Committee] noted that the extensive deployment of police personnel and security resources required to sanitize such a complex area is currently not feasible in light of the global energy crises and recently notified government austerity measures,” it said. “Under these limitations, the administrative, logistical, and financial requirements necessary to secure any large-scale public gatherings is another challenge,” it added.
On Monday, the PTI had announced it would stage a rally at Liaquat Bagh on April 9, marking the day incarcerated former Prime Minister Imran Khan was removed from office in 2022. In a press conference announcing the rally, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi had warned of legal action if permission for the event was denied. He had further claimed protests would be staged “wherever” necessary if permission were not granted.