Undeterred by nod withdrawal, PTI set to stage rally today

ISLAMABAD/ PESHAWAR: The federal capital administration on Wednesday refused to allow the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to hold a public rally on Thursday (today) and withdrew the permission for the rally granted on July 31.

Amid rising concerns over the law & order situation in Islamabad, the Federal Intelligence Coordination Committee met here with the chief commissioner in the chair. Inspector General (IG) of Islamabad Police, deputy commissioner and representatives from the ISI, MI and IB attended the meeting to discuss the security challenges surrounding the upcoming events in the capital.

One of the primary issues discussed was the PTI’s rally scheduled for August 22 (today) for which a no objection certificate (NOC) had been issued by the deputy commissioner. However, security concerns were raised about the rally, as several other events would be happening simultaneously in Islamabad, overstretching the available security resources.

The IG told the meeting that with the current force at hand, it would be difficult to manage security for multiple events, including a protest by Tehreek-e-Khatm-e-Nabuwat in front of the Supreme Court. He said a review petition in Mubarak Ahmed Sani case would also be heard by the apex court, thus further intensifying the situation. Moreover, the recent breach of peace in the Red Zone have already led to the registration of FIRs against the protesters. He also informed the meeting about the presence of Bangladesh cricket team in Islamabad, needing heightened security.

The IG further noted that the individuals attending the PTI rally appeared prepared for a prolonged sit-in, as they were reportedly bringing items such as gas masks, bedding, sleeping bags and food supplies. The expected participation of Pashtun Tahafuz Movement and Sunni Tehreek has complicated the security situation. He also suggested that the provinces, especially Punjab, be directed to prevent the participants from entering Islamabad.

The Special Branch supported the IG’s concerns, highlighting threats to public safety and pointing out that PTI members had been instructed to prepare for possible confrontations. Representatives from the ISI, MI and IB echoed these concerns, citing the ongoing law and order issues, threat alerts, presence of Bangladesh cricket team and recent disturbances caused by the Khatm-e-Nabuwat rallies in the Red Zone.

After reviewing the input from law enforcement and intelligence agencies, the chief commissioner concluded that the current situation in Islamabad did not permit the holding of a large public gathering. As a result, the NOC previously granted for the PTI rally, dated July 31, 2024, was officially cancelled.

Contrary to the capital administration’s security concerns, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is dead set on staging a rally at Tarnol on Thursday (today) despite cancellation of the rally permit. A heavy security cordon has been thrown around the federal capital ahead of mass mobilization of the PTI workers to attend the rally and hearing of a sensitive case by the Supreme Court.

Police and security forces have picketed strategic positions in Tarnol, Rawat and Faizabad, while the Red Zone has been completely sealed off. The law enforcement agencies are bracing for a possible mass mobilization of PTI workers, reportedly backed by the KP government. To counter this, over 9,000 personnel have been deployed along key routes, including Tarnol, Sangjani, Motorway, Rawat and roads leading from Murree. According to the sources in the law enforcement agencies, all entry points are being blocked with containers. The authorities have also launched a crackdown, with more than 60 PTI workers already arrested. Meanwhile, strict security measures are in place to safeguard the Supreme Court. Access to the Red Zone has been heavily restricted.

Meanwhile, Chairman Pakistan PTI Barrister Gohar Ali Khan Wednesday said they will hold a peaceful public meeting on Thursday (today) in light of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) orders but stage no sit-in. Reacting to the suspension of NOC of the rally, he said they will hold a peaceful rally to be addressed by the central leadership, including the KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur. “Our meeting will be held at Tarnol Sangjani, 30 kilometers away from the Red Zone; we will only hold a meeting at five o’clock tomorrow and will not stage any sit-in,” he clarified.

Gohar said the protest of a religious party was scheduled at the D-Chowk at 8am adding that the suspension of no objection certificate was illegal, unconstitutional and negation of democracy.

Separately, PTI Islamabad President Amir Mughal announced a rally on Peshawar Road at Tarnol Chowk on Thursday at 4:00 pm. “The administration has cancelled the NOC but we have not cancelled the Jalsa. It is entire Jalsa Committee’s unanimous decision that the Jalsa will not be cancelled,” he noted. Meanwhile, a privilege motion was submitted to the National Assembly by former National Assembly speaker Asad Qaiser and other members. The motion was filed against DG Anti-Corruption Punjab, IG Punjab, IG Jails Punjab, DPO Gujarat and DPO Mandi Bahauddin.

In a related development, KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur Wednesday asked the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, particularly PTI workers, to reach Tarnol in order to stage a rally in support of former prime minister Imran Khan. In a message to his people, Gandapur vowed that the PTI would hold the rally at any cost.

He said though the commissioner had cancelled the no-objection certificate granted by the court, the PTI would still hold the gathering. He said the federal government had resorted to fascism and was using illegal steps to create hurdles for the PTI.

“I condemn these steps and am giving a clear message to the people of KP to reach the venue at 3pm. I will lead the KP people from the Swabi Interchange to the place of gathering,” he said in the message. “I am asking the people of Pakistan to reach Tarnol Chowk. Imran Khan is our leader. We must show our love for him.”

In view of the security situation, all educational institutions will remain closed on Aug 22 (Thursday). Islamabad Deputy Commissioner Irfan Nawaz Memon issued a notification late Wednesday night announcing closure of private and public schools on Aug 22.