ANP allowed to hold meeting despite Section 144 in Shangla

ALPURI: The district administration on Thursday allowed the Awami National Party to hold a public meeting despite Section 144 while the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf meted out a step-motherly attitude.

According to a notification, the district administration has banned gathering of more than four persons under Section 144 imposed from November 20 to December 19.However, The Pakistan Muslim League organised a public meeting despite the imposition of Section 144 on November 21 last and now the ANP was allowed to hold the meeting. It may be mentioned that PTI district president Liaqat Yousafzai along with several other workers and activists had been arrested for violation of Section 144 while they were holding a corner meeting of the party.

The PTI activists were going to attend a meeting at Kana tehsil when the police arrested them and shifted them to Karora Police Station.The local leaders of various political parties, including Niaz Khan of Pakistan People’s Party, Mutawakil Khan advocate of ANP, District Bar Association president Jawad Ali advocate, elders and netizens had condemned the arrest of PTI activists.

They had said that the Election Commission of Pakistan must take notice of the duplicity of district administration and pre-poll rigging. They had alleged that the district administration had allowed the PML-N to hold a public meeting in Chakesar while the PTI was disbanded to organise the same.

They had asked the ECP to ensure provision of level playing field to all the political parties so they could carry canvassing for the upcoming general elections.