LAHORE: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chief Imran Khan on Sunday announced postponement of his election rally in Lahore after the Punjab interim government imposed Section 144 in the provincial capital citing security reasons.
Taking to Twitter, Imran Khan claimed that Section 144 was imposed “illegally solely on the PTI election campaign” despite other public activities ongoing in Lahore.
It seems again Sec 144 has been imposed illegally solely on PTI election campaign as all other public activities are ongoing in Lahore. Only Zaman Park has been surrounded by containers & heavy police contingent. Clearly, like 8 March, Punjab CM & police want to provoke clashes
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) March 12, 2023
“Containers and a heavy police contingent have surrounded only the Zaman Park area. Clearly, like March 8, Punjab CM and police want to provoke clashes to file more sham FIRs against PTI leadership and workers and to use as a pretext for postponing elections,” Imran Khan said.
The PTI chief questioned how Section 144 could be imposed in Lahore despite the announcement of the election schedule.
“I am telling all the PATI workers not to fall into this trap. Hence we have postponed today’s rally till tomorrow,” said the PTI chief.
to file more sham FIRs against PTI ldrshp & workers & to use as pretext for postponing elections. Elec Schedule has been announced so how can Sec 144 be imposed on pol activity? I AM TELLING ALL PTI WORKERS NOT TO FALL INTO THIS TRAP. Hence we have postponed rally till tomorrow.
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) March 12, 2023
Later, in a news conference, PTI leader Hammad Azhar confirmed the postponement of today’s rally and said that it might be “organized tomorrow or at a later date.”
“We want peaceful conduct of elections and peaceful transfer of power, and the rally might be held tomorrow,” said Azhar, adding that the authorities should open the roads.
PTI challenges imposition of Section 144 in Lahore
The decision came after PTI challenged Section 144 imposed by the Punjab interim government in Lahore in the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).
PTI senior leader Babar Awan filed the plea with the electoral body on the instructions of party chief Imran Khan.
The Punjab government Saturday night again imposed Section 144 (banning large gatherings) in the provincial capital to avoid any “untoward incidents.”
This is for the second time in the last few days that the interim government has imposed the restriction ahead of the party’s election rally — which has severely criticized the caretaker set-up for being “partial.”
“The Election Commission should dispose of the implementation of Section 144 as it is illegal,” the petition stated.
It said that by imposing Section 144 in Lahore, the Punjab government is violating Para 15 of the Supreme Court of Pakistan’s order. The petition also stated that the rally routes and the Pakistan Super League (PSL) match are different.
“The PTI’s rally will conclude at 5:30 pm while the PSL match will begin at 7 pm,” adding that Section 144 has never been imposed in any city amid PSL matches.
The election campaign is PTI’s constitutional right, and the provincial government is stopping the campaign illegally, said the petition.
While speaking to the media persons later, Awan reiterated that the timings and routes of the match and rally were different.
“Imposing Section 144 on the entire city is not justifiable, and the interim government decided to put a ban using PSL as an excuse,” he said.
He added that Khan wants to stage a rally as it is the party’s constitutional right.
PTI leader Yasmin Rashid has also submitted a request against the provincial government’s decision to ban rallies in ECP’s office in Lahore.
CEC convenes meeting to PTI petition
Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja has convened a meeting of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Monday to discuss the PTI petition against the imposition of Section 144 in Lahore, which prohibits any rallies and public gatherings in the provincial capital.
Taking to Twitter, the Election Commission said the meeting would be held at 10:30 am tomorrow.
الیکشن کمیشن آف پاکستان
اسلام آباد
12 مارچ، 2023پنجاب حکومت کی طرف سے دفعہ 144 کے نفاذ اور الیکشن ریلیوں پر پابندی کے حوالے سے پی ٹی آئی کے ڈاکٹر بابر اعوان اور ڈاکٹر یاسمین راشد کی درخواستوں پر چیف الیکشن کمشنر نے کل ساڑھے 10 بجے کمیشن کا اہم اجلاس طلب کرلیا ہے۔ #ECP
— Election Commission of Pakistan (OFFICIAL)🇵🇰 (@ECP_Pakistan) March 12, 2023
