Flustered PTI steps back from public gathering decision to avoid roadblock
Pakistan
Political committee meeting decides to hold event after Ashura
PTI leaders denounce coercive tactics employed by government to prevent Tarnol rally
Party to start mass contact drive after Ashura
Govt has turned country into banana republic, says Asad Qaiser
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) - A day after the cancellation of the No Objection Certificate (NOC) by the Islamabad deputy commissioner regarding the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf's public rally in Tarnol on July 6, the embattled party on Saturday announced postponement of its rally.
PTI chief Barrister Gohar made this announcement at a press conference in Islamabad on Saturday, adding that the power show would now be held after Ashura. He was accompanied by senior PTI leaders Omar Ayub Khan and Asad Qaiser.
"We have always stood by the law. We filed petition in the Islamabad High Court (IHC) by conforming to law. Our workers were very hopeful as we had announced the public meeting in Tarnol for upholding law and constitution in Pakistan," he stressed.
He further added that no political process was complete without former premier Imran Khan so they decided to put off the public gathering in their political committee meeting.
Speaking to media, Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Omar Ayub Khan said they were given permission for the rally and the DC's order was cancelled by the chief commissioner.
"We will hold power show after getting approval from court. Public rally will be organised after Ashura," he stated.
Moreover, former NA speaker Asad Qaiser also took aim at the government for turning country into a "banana republic".
PTI moves IHC against cancellation of NOC
The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) leadership on Saturday moved the Islamabad High Court (IHC) against the Islamabad administration for cancellation of the No Objection Certificate (NOC) for holding a public gathering in Tarnol.
The contempt of court plea has been filed by PTI lawyer Shoaib Shaheen. Besides, Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Omar Ayub Khan, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar, Umair Niazi, Shehryar Afridi and Sanaullah Mastikhel also accompanied the PTI counsel.
It has been argued in the application that the deputy commissioner had told the court on July 4 that an NOC was issued to the PTI for holding a public rally in Tarnol but PTI leader Amir Mughal was arrested on the premises of the DC office when he went there to ask the DC to take him to the location of rally.
According to the application, rescinding the NOC at the eleventh hour amounted to contempt of court.
"We came to know about the cancellation of the NOC through a tweet by official X handle of the Islamabad Police followed by a letter from the Islamabad DC regarding cancellation of NOC," reads the application.
It has also been pleaded before the court that the party should be given judicial nod in this regard and the capital administration should be asked to implement the court orders afterwards.
Meanwhile, a district and sessions court in Islamabad ordered release of PTI leader Amir Mughal. He was arrested on Friday soon after the authorities informed court that permission had been granted to the PTI to hold the public event.
