PAT accepts Punjab govt's offer, agrees to change sit-in venue
The offer was accepted after consultation with PAT Chief Tahir-ul-Qadri.
LAHORE (Dunya News) – Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT), while accepting the offer of Punjab government, has decided to change the venue of its women wing sit-in to Lahore’s DC Road from Mall Road.
Lahore High Court (LHC) conducted hearing over the petition filed by advocate Asad Manzoor Butt on the behalf of Mall Road Traders Association (MRTA) against PAT sit-in on Mall Road in which Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) and Deputy Commissioner (DC) appeared.
During the proceeding, the plaintiff said that a protest on Mall Road will badly affect business activities. The judge asked from PAT lawyer about the duration of sit-in and that who will be responsible if any terror incident occurs.
CCPO offered PAT to shift its sit-in to DC Road from Mall Road due to security concerns which was accepted after consultation with PAT Chief Tahir-ul-Qadri.
Meanwhile, PAT also suggested to allow Qadri’s address on Mall Road today while the sit-in will be held on DC Road from tomorrow.
It is to be mentioned here that the high court had already banned protests and processions on Mall Road and the provincial government had also imposed section 144.
Earlier today, PAT completed its preparations to stage a sit-in on Mall Road despite court’s order to not make any arrangements until the final verdict. The workers set the stage near Istanbul Chowk, and special container for Dr Tahirul Qadri was also transferred to Nasir Bagh along with lights, fans and canopies.
PAT is carrying out sit-in against the injustice in Model Town massacre at the core of the city on August 16 and Punjab police operation at Minhaj-ul-Quran office which not only injured several people but also damaged property and resulted in the loss of over a dozen lives.
