Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan on Sunday postponed the election rally until Monday (today) after the party failed to get relief either from the Election Commission or the Lahore High Court against caretaker Punjab government’s order of imposing Section 144 in the provincial capital.
In response to a PSL match at the Qaddafi Stadium and a marathon race in the city, the interim Punjab administration imposed Section 144 late at night.
Initially, the PTI was determined to conduct the rally. But the former premier intervened and warned the party leaders and members not to fall for the legal ploy.
“The Punjab chief minister and police want to provoke clashes to file more sham FIRs against PTI leaders and workers. And to use [it] as a pretext for postponing elections.” The PTI leader tweeted about an hour after the rally from his home to the Data Darbar. From a different route that did not disrupt PSL match or marathon race route.
Nonetheless, Mr. Khan questioned how Section 144 could be imposed on political activities, especially after the election schedule was published. Mr. Khan stated in an all-caps statement, “I am warning all PTI employees not to fall into this trap.”
In the same series of tweets, the former prime minister stated that it appeared that Section 144 had been unlawfully imposed on the PTI election campaign alone, as all other public activities continued in Lahore.
“Only Zaman Park has been surrounded by containers and a large police contingent,” Mr. Khan said, explaining that this was a clear indication that the chief minister and police wanted to provoke confrontations so that they could file additional false FIRs similar to those filed on March 8.
“No prohibition on political activity”
In contrast, caretaker chief minister Mohsin Naqvi stated in a tweet that “there is no ban on political activities.” He stated that campaigning was permitted for all political parties.
“We have restricted rallies and political activities for today. It’s due to a planned PSL cricket match, team movements, and a marathon in Lahore,” he added.
In a notification issued on Sunday, the administration also permitted the PTI to hold a public rally that poses a “high-security risk” due to “general and specific threats against political gatherings and a previous attack on the ex-prime minister.” The permission was granted in exchange for the organizer’s assurance that he would be held accountable for any untoward incidents. The notification also prohibited criticism of constitutional offices, such as the military and the judiciary.
“Supporters populate Zaman Park”
Mr. Khan also shared a video of party workers and fans arriving in large numbers at Zaman Park. And tweeted, “Despite Zaman Park being sealed, the people of Lahore are already out in large numbers. “However, I cannot permit any injuries to my employees, the general public, or my police. So that these fascists can file more FIRs against us and find an excuse to avoid the elections.”
According to party sources, Mr. Khan met with the party’s leadership after Saturday midnight. The meeting agreed the party would not violate Section 144 and could postpone the rally. He instructed his party members to contest the illegal action before the ECP and LHC to get relief.
Mr. Khan stated in his address on Saturday that the incumbent rulers dreaded holding elections and could use any tactic. Including a bomb explosion or high-profile murder, to create a reason and impose a state of emergency in the country. He asserted that he would defy all such schemes by exercising restraint.
law and order disturbance
Earlier that day, PTI vice-chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi and senior vice-president Fawad Chaudhry told the media that the interim government intended to disrupt law and order in Lahore.
Mr. Qureshi stated that the PTI senior leaders’ meeting had decided that the party’s leaders and members would maintain their composure and refrain from participating in any violent activity. “The government seeks conflict, not elections,” stated the vice chairman.
He said they petitioned the LHC and Dr. Yasmin Rashid, head of the PTI’s central Punjab chapter. Petitioned the ECP Punjab office to challenge Section 144. Mr. Qureshi stated that he wanted the Chief Justice of the LHC to hear the PTI’s argument that it had already altered the route of the party rally and moved it to the northern side of Lahore to avoid interfering with the PSL and the marathon.
Mr. Qureshi stated that the marathon was held without any security concerns. Whereas the Supreme Court ordered the suspension of the election process.
Fawad Chaudhry urged the Chief Justice of the LHC to open the court and hear the PTI’s petition because “the Pakistani Constitution was in danger.” He asked if only one party would run in the poll because the PML-N’s convention lacked Section 144.
Dr. Yasmin Rashid, president of the PTI’s Central Punjab chapter, stated that the “two-faced” caretaker chief minister had issued an “apologetic tweet” stating that there was no prohibition on political activities, but he prevented the PTI from holding its scheduled rally by blocking all roads leading to Zaman Park.
