PTI gets permission for Lahore rally at Kahna tomorrow

PTI has received official permission from the local administration to hold a rally at Kahna, Lahore on Saturday, September 21 with a long list of SOPs, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

PTI lawyers have confirmed that local government has allowed PTI to hold rally in Lahore's Kahna area. This approval comes following a directive from the Lahore High Court, which ordered the district administration to make a decision regarding PTI's rally request by 5pm on Friday.

The Deputy Commissioner’s office while issuing the NOC said that PTI rally will take place at Kahna instead of Minar-e-Pakistan venue. The PTI has been allowed to hold its gathering between 3pm and 6pm.

Syed Shadab Jafri, chief Organiser of PTI rally told media that the local government has approved their application for rally at Kahna. He said this will be a historic rally. He urged the adminsiteration not to create hurdles in the arrangments.  Meanwhile Insaaf Lawyers Forum and Leader of the Oppostion have divided over the timing of the rally.Insaaf Lawyers Forum has agreed on rally time betweem 2pm to 6pm while Opposition Leader in Punjab Assembly wanted that rally time should be till10pm night.

According to the SOPs, time of the PTI rally has been set between 3pm to 6pm. Rally organizers will be responsible for ensuring stage’s safety. Security of ladies and gents enclosures, emergency exits, crowd avoidance/control measures and adequate parking will be ensured with the recruitment of private security and volunteers.

PTI groups from outside the city will not come to Lahore to disrupt the daily life.  Anti-state slogans and statements should not be made during the meeting.

Chief Minister KP Ali Amin Gandapur should publicly apologize for his remarks during Islamabad Jalsa on 8 September 2024. All persons under trial for hate speech of Islamabad rally will not be allowed to sit on the stage.

No absconder will be able attend the rally and if anyone attends it, then it will be the responsibility of the rally organisers to facilitate their arrest, failing which the admin will face the music.

No Afghan flag will be hoisted and no Afghan paid workforce will be brought to the rally. The rally organizers will nominate a focal person who will coordinate with the concerned Superintendent of Police and SP Traffic Police to ensure traffic and security arrangements at all points. The organizers will work closely with SP Model Town. All relevant security measures will be ensured at the rally. There will be administrative and security requirements for the gathering.

In case of security lapse, organizers will timely report to the police so that lapses are rectified. No audio/video message of POs or any convicted person will be broadcasted or shown. Traffic police will implement a detailed traffic plan and advisory for the event.

SP Security Lahore will convene a meeting with the administrators for necessary arrangements and take an undertaking from them about their responsibilities. Organizers along with district police will install barbed wire and tent sheet on the outer railing/wall of Lahore Ring Road, Kahana.

The use of the deck/sound system shall be regulated under the Punjab Sound Systems (Regulation) Ordinance 2015. Sound system should be used inside the ground during the meeting.

Containers will be placed by the organizers and by the District Police wherever required. As there is no permanent stage at Lahore Ring Road, Kahna, the stage should be set up with containers in collaboration with District Police.

Iron pipes will be placed around the stage. The organizer shall take responsibility that no unauthorized persons shall enter the VIP area or through the VIP gate or the stage or come near the stage.

The volunteers/sanctioners provided by the organizer will be responsible for controlling the participants at the entrance points of the Jalsa, ensuring the formation of queues and ensuring that the participants approach the entrance in a peaceful and orderly manner. When searches are conducted and a calm environment is maintained. The administrator shall manage the generator to maintain uninterrupted power supply/power. The organizers will ensure that minor children are not brought to the rally. No one will be forced to close their business. No rally will be taken out on roads/streets. No one will be allowed to enter the venue with sticks. Nothing shall be said which will hurt the sentiments of any religious group/community/sect. Display of fireworks will be strictly prohibited and fireworks will not be used. A mobile van or any other vehicle will not be used to announce party songs.

No reception desk will be set up by the organizers outside Lahore Ring Road, Kahna, therefore only the District Police will allow setting up of reception desks at designated places if required.  There will be no wall chalking in any part of the city regarding the Jalsa. A peaceful environment will be maintained at all times. Objectionable/offensive slogans will be prohibited. No one shall be compelled to attend a meeting within the city. For the safety of general public, maintenance of law and order and normal situation at the venue, the District Police will check/search any vehicle/person attending the Jalsa. No obstacles will be created by the organizers in this regard. No effigy/flag of any political, religious party or person belonging to any country shall be burnt.

A parking area should be allocated by the traffic police for the vehicles coming for the rally. Jalsa Management/Management will fully cooperate with the District Police to ensure foolproof security. No negligence will be allowed in this regard.  Security in and around the venue will be the responsibility of the organizers. Administrators will ensure that workers/participants coming from outside the district adhere to the conditions under which permission is granted.  Organizers will ensure that all conditions are fulfilled by the end of the meeting and the workers/participants disperse peacefully and reach their destination.

Organizers will be responsible for any untoward incident. In view of the overall security situation and threat alerts received from various quarters, the organizers have once again been alerted and strongly advised to take precautions in and around the venue for the safety of the participants and general public. Take all necessary precautions as this public gathering is being held. at their call.

Meanwhile, PTI chief Barrister Gohar has thanked Lahore’s district administration for issuing the NOC for PTI rally. Barrister Gohar has appealed more and more workers to attend the rally from all over the country. He requested the management not to block the roads so that if there are no obstructions, the public can easily reach the site in time and they can end the meeting on time. Barrister Gohar also urged PTI workers to participate in the rally peacefully.

Earlier in the day, the opposition leader of Punjab, Malik Ahmad Khan Bhachar, along with several members of the Punjab Assembly, visited the Minar-e-Pakistan site only to find the gates locked and a heavy police presence barring their entry. The district administration, in a proactive move, has restricted public access to Minar-e-Pakistan by locking all gates and placing containers on the access roads. A significant police deployment has also been stationed at the site.

Meanwhile, PTI's preparations for the Lahore rally have entered the final stages. A convoy led by Chief Minister of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Ali Amin Gandapur is scheduled to depart from Swabi tomorrow morning. The PTI leadership has instructed each candidate to bring along 500 supporters. The convoy, headed by the chief minister, will carry machinery to remove any obstacles encountered on the route.

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa's Information Adviser, Barrister Saif, confirmed that all preparations for the Lahore rally have been completed. He claimed a flood of people from KP will head towards Lahore. He urged the government not to create hurdles for the rally.

The Lahore High Court had earlier dismissed a petition seeking to block the rally, stating that it was inadmissible. The court directed the Deputy Commissioner to decide on PTI's application by 5pm, as per the law.

PTI founder Imran Khan, during an informal conversation with journalists at Adiala Jail, warned that if the government denied permission for the Lahore rally PTI will turn the rally into a protest. He added that if the rally was blocked, the entire nation will protest at Minar-e-Pakistan.

Reporter: Usman khadam kamboh