Pandemonium marks start of PTI’s public gathering at Sangjani

Rowdy scenes marked the start of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf’s (PTI) much-awaited public meeting at Sangjani, Islamabad on Sunday, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

Hitherto, the party had, on several occasions, restrained from holding rallies due to fears of a crackdown by the law-enforcement agencies (LEAs). 

As soon as the event started, PTI workers, holding the party flags in their hands, went wild after they found  Sher Afzal Marwat in their midst. They broke the walk-through gates installed at entrances to the jalsa’s venue.

The workers danced to national songs, while more and more people continued to pour into the venue.   The sound system and screens are being installed, while on the other hand, strict security arrangements have already been put in place as the PTI workers and supporters head towards the venue for the event from all over the country.

Earlier, 24News had reported that over 5,000 police personnel would perform security duties in and around the public gathering's venue.

Several party leaders visited the venue to inspect the arrangements being made for the event.

During his visit, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan said there was not going to be a long march or a sit-in today.. “Today, we will raise our voice against inflation and injustices in our society,” he added.

Another senior PTI leader and Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Omar Ayub Khan accused the government of creating obstacles to thwart the party’s today’s power show.

Speaking to reporters on Saturday, Aleema Khan, sister of former prime minister and PTI founder Imran Khan, had said that the latter had appealed the nation to turn up at the event in large numbers.

Quoting her brother, she said the purpose of the public gathering was to secure the independence of judiciary.

She said the purpose of the September 8 rally was not to press the government for the release of incarcerated Imran; it was for the independence of the judiciary instead. “If the judiciary is free, it will give you justice.”

PTI MNA tasked with making arrangements

The PTI’s high command on Saturday assigned the party MNA Bilal Ijaz the task of making arrangements for the public gathering.  

Speaking to reporters, the MNA said that presently the earthwork was underway at the venue and that it would be ready for the rally today by midnight. “As many as 15,000 to 20,000 chairs will be placed for the crowd,” he said, adding, “We expect that 700,000 to 800,000 people will show up tomorrow if the police do not create obstacles in our way; otherwise,

between 100,000 and 200,000 people will definitely be there.”

He informed that there would be a separate enclosure for women.  

He made it clear that this time the party would not change the venue for the rally.

Omar Ayub Khan says govt scared of PTI’s popularity

Earlier speaking to reporters, Omar said that the event would be held tomorrow on the old GT Road at 2:00 in the afternoon.  

He said that last night the administration once again changed the venue for the rally. “The very fact that the administration has placed containers on the routes leading to the venue shows that the government is scared of PTI’s street power.  

The PTI leader was of the view that the bill, banning public gatherings in the federal capital without permission, passed recently would be problematic not for the party, but for the present government in days to come.  

Reporter: Hashir Warraich, Tayyab Saif