Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) decided to shift the event to Lahore after not getting permission for a public meeting on the occasion of Independence Day despite the proposal of 3 places in the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi.
According to the report, PTI Islamabad President Ali Awan while talking to media said that we have been told that Tehreek-e-Labaik Pakistan (TLP) has already requested to hold a rally on August 13 at the Parade Ground.
However, we have come to the conclusion that the permission was subject to the approval of the 111 Brigade which is not ready to grant us the permission, otherwise we would have been allowed to hold the rally at one of the 3 locations suggested by us,” he said.
On August 6, PTI’s political committee had announced a demonstration of political strength in the federal capital on August 13 on the occasion of Independence Day.
This decision was taken in a meeting chaired by PTI Chairman Imran Khan, in which the senior leadership of the party including Asad Umar, Fawad Chaudhry, Shireen Mazari, Umar Ayub, Saifullah Niazi participated.
During the meeting, Imran Khan had said that he would announce his party’s future strategy during the meeting and instructions were issued to party leaders to ensure an “impressive” show of strength.
Ali Nawaz Awan said that PTI had sought permission from the district administration to hold a rally at the parade ground, but was told that TLP had already submitted an application to hold a rally at the venue.
“Then we requested the administration to shift the public meeting to the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium but the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) objected and we were told that the security team will visit stadium for the English team’s visit to Pakistan,” he added.
He said that after that we started considering holding public meeting in Liaquat Bagh but was told that plantation work has been started in the park in recent days and the space for the meeting will be very less.
The PTI leader further said that he has come to the conclusion that it is not possible to get permission in the twin cities as the approval of the Army’s 111 Brigade is also necessary.
He said that although we have been told that permission has not yet been confirmed to the TLP, it would be strange that the TLP can hold a rally at the parade ground, but not the PTI.
He said that now we have decided to hold a meeting at the Hockey Ground Lahore.
He further said that former Prime Minister Imran Khan will address the Lahore rally which will be telecast across the country.
Ali Nawaz Awan said that the party chairman will announce the future strategy in the meeting and we will organize fireworks and flag hoisting ceremony at midnight.