As PTI Chairman Imran Khan arrived at a Lahore Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) on Saturday to secure interim bail in three terrorism cases, he told reporters that a “reaction” to the “atrocities done to the PTI” would come today at the party’s Minar-i-Pakistan rally, and he urged supporters not to back down “under any circumstances.”
Imran told the media, while seated in his vehicle outside the courthouse, that the public would react today to whatever method the government would employ.
Under no circumstances will we retreat, the former prime minister vowed.
“Today, they (the government) will witness the largest rally in the country’s history at Minar-i-Pakistan,” he said.
The PTI leader continued, “1,600 of our workers have been detained solely because they wish to attend today’s rally at Minar-i-Pakistan.”
Comparing the “current atrocities committed against the PTI” to those committed in India’s Illegally-Occupied Jammu and Kashmir and Palestine, Imran condemned the government for “using every method to crush the PTI” and for “torturing and abducting individuals.”
He added, “Atrocities are being committed, but this is a battle and a jihad for haqeeqi azaadi (true freedom). So sacrifices will be necessary. I am also prepared for this, as is the entirety of my team.”
Before Imran arrived at Minar-e-Pakistan, Lahore Internet disruption was reported.
Internet outages were reported in Lahore’s Gulberg, Minar-e-Pakistan, Data Darbar, Lari Adda, and surrounding areas before the PTI rally.
According to footage shared by the PTI, party members and supporters filled the venue in anticipation of Imran. Who arrived at the Minar-e-Pakistan shortly after midnight.
The placement of containers in Lahore before the PTI rally
Various shipping containers have been installed in Lahore in preparation for tonight’s PTI rally at the Minar-i-Pakistan. It is where party chairman Imran Khan will outline his “vision of Haqeeq Azadi.”
Both sides of the road leading from Data Darbar to Minar-i-Pakistan have been blocked off.
One truck driver at the spot said he was not paid for blocking the roads.
He added that he was instructed by Shafiqabad police station officials, who informed him that it was a “government order” and that the keys to the vehicles were in their possession.
When we entered [the city] last night, the police compelled us to park in various locations.
The driver added that he has been instructed to obstruct the roads until tomorrow at noon.
There were also allegations that students who were scheduled to take the Institute of Chartered Accountant exams were prevented from doing so by roadblocks.
Hayyan Imran, a student, stated that he had been on the bus for hours. But due to the vehicle’s inability to arrive at the exam site on time, he was late for his exam.
“Now, the examiners are denying my entrance. “They claim that I arrived late and that attendance has already been taken,” he bemoaned.
The former prime minister urged his supporters earlier today to “exercise their right as citizens of a free nation” by attending the rally.
He added that the PTI’s sixth public gathering at Minar-i-Pakistan would “break all records.”
“My heart tells me that it will shatter every milestone. Everyone in Lahore is invited to attend following the Tarawih prayers. Imran stated, “I will explain my vision of Haqeeqi Azadi. And how we will pull Pakistan out of the mess a cabal of criminals has created for our country.”
Imran asserted that it was a fundamental right of the people to participate in a political assembly while expressing concern that the government might erect barriers to prevent party supporters from reaching the venue.
He told his supporters, “Everyone must assert their right as citizens of a free nation. That won its independence and come to Minar-i-Pakistan.”
According to the official Twitter account of the PTI, the rally will commence at 9 pm following the Taraveeh prayers.
Punjab police issue a life-threat alert for Imran
Meanwhile, Punjab police issued a threat alert on Saturday evening, warning that “hostile intelligence agencies” (HIA) planned to destabilize the country by targeting the PTI and their rallies.
The alert was issued by the intelligence branch of the CCPO Lahore. It states that “credible information” indicates that HIAs were attempting to capitalize on the “prevailing political polarisation, and law and order situation by targeting the leadership and gathering of PTI to destabilize the country by creating a chaotic situation.”
Foreign intelligence agencies contacted Jamaat-ul-Ahrar (JuA) commander Mukarram Khurasani to “cause instability in the country by any means necessary,” according to the report.
In addition, the threat alert predicted that the JuA commander “could have specifically designated” Imran Khan as the primary target.
Other targets include those gathered at the residence of the PTI chairman in Zaman Park. “As they would appear to be a softer target” are PTI marches and tonight’s Minar-e-Pakistan gathering.
Terrorists could use police insignia or cars “as a deception tactic to attack their targets,” according to the threat alert.
“Other vulnerabilities that can be exploited by criminals include unrestricted crowds at political events. And the movement of political workers from the North, particularly from tribal districts in KP,” the report stated.
The report concluded that the information was “credible and corroborated by multiple sources” and advised to “exercise extreme vigilance and bolster the security of PTI political leaders to prevent any untoward incident.”
Imran had announced on March 13 that a rally would be held at the Minar-i-Pakistan on March 19. The same location where he launched his campaign for the 2013 elections with a massive display of power. But the Lahore High Court ordered the PTI to reschedule its rally and engage in dialogue with the administration.
The LHC denied the PTI’s March 22 rally petition after the PTI and city government reached an agreement.
Petitioner Imtiaz Mahmood, president of the Lahore chapter of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), submitted an affidavit accepting the terms and conditions and promising that the rally will begin on March 25 (tonight) at 10 pm and conclude around March 26 at 3 am. The DC and the CCPO accepted the petitioner’s filed affidavit and undertaking.
The PTI chief launched his election campaign from Lahore at the end of the second week of March, following a dispute with the Punjab interim government over a prohibition on public gatherings imposed by the local administration.
The rally was originally scheduled for March 11 and 12, but it was postponed because the party was unable to obtain respite from the Election Commission or the Lahore High Court against the caretaker Punjab government’s order to implement Section 144 in the provincial capital.
After a marathon and a Pakistan Super League match at the Qaddafi Stadium, the interim Punjab government enacted Section 144. However, in a notification dated March 12, the administration permitted the PTI to hold the public rally on March 13 even though it posed a “high-security risk” due to “general and specific threats against political gatherings and a previous attack on the ex-prime minister.”
ATC grants parole in three cases to Imran
The Lahore ATC awarded Imran interim bail until April 4 in three Race Course police station cases earlier that day. Two on March 14 and 15—about the PTI supporters-police clashes outside the PTI chief’s Zaman Park home.
Today, ATC judge Ejaz Ahmad Buttar heard the plea, while Imran’s attorney, Barrister Salman Safdar, appeared in court.
Imran stated during today’s hearing, “I want to be included in the investigation. There is a possibility of my arrest.” He also filed a distinct motion requesting permission to bring his vehicle onto court grounds.
