Terror threats: PTI denied permission for staging rally in Karachi on Sunday

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) failed on Friday to get permission to hold a rally in Jinnah Bagh Karachi on April 28 as the provincial government informed the Sindh High Court (SHC) about terror threats in the city. The Court postponed the hearing till May 6.

According to the 24NewsHD TV channel, Additional Advocate General Sindh Rao Said Ullah told the SHC that there are threats of terrorism and the SSP East has also mentioned the threats in his report while an explosion in Malir has already occurred and there are more threats too.

On this, SHC Chief Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi said that he was not happy with this report, factually, you people did not allow PTI to hold a public meeting and this is also the petitioner's opinion.

The Chief Justice asked how long these things would improve and when you would allow PTI to hold the rally. The SHC Chief Justice also asked the Additional Advocate General whether there was a chance that the PTI would repeat the incident of May 9.

In reply, the additional advocate general said they required one month. The Chief Justice inquired whether there had been any meeting in the city recently. 

PTI's lawyer Barrister Ali Tahir said that the Central Muslim League held a rally on Shahrah Quaideen just two days ago. On this, Deputy Commissioner Karachi East told the court that they did not allow anyone to hold a rally.

The Chief Justice said, "Let the PTI also hold a public meeting without permission, leave them on the God's will and you should sit in your offices." He further said, "Tell me what action you took for holding a rally without permission, did you use batons or use Rangers." "Talk to your elders, do not be so cruel, we cannot be a part of you," the Chief Jusitce added and said, "If you give us a reasonable reason for not giving permission, then we will support you."

On this occasion, the Chief Justice also asked the PTI lawyer that his party should also be careful, lest any incident happens and they put it in your account. The Chief Justice said even if the court make an order in your [PTI] favor, it will become a problem for you tomorrow so don't be stubborn and wait for one more week. Later, the SHC Chief Justice adjourned the hearing till May 6.

PTI to hold protest today

The PTI has announced countrywide protests against alleged rigging in the by-elections after the Jumma prayer at all provincial constituencies today.
On the instructions of the PTI founder Imran Khan, ticket holders of provincial constituencies will lead the protests. According to the report, protest will be held at 30 places in Lahore while a protest rally will also be taken out from Akbar Chowk to Kot Lakhpat.
According to the Islamabad police, additional police personnel will be deployed at the main squares and highways of Islamabad as Section 144 is in force in the capital city.

Reporters: Mumtaz Jamali, Usman Khadim Kamboh, and Farzana Siddique