LAHORE: In a major development, the Lahore city district administration late Thursday rejected Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s application to hold a public gathering at Minar-e-Pakistan on February 8. The deputy commissioner denied permission citing security reasons.
The development came as the former ruling party announced marking February 8 (Saturday) — the first anniversary of “rigged general elections” as a “Black Day”.
According to a statement issued by the Lahore DC, “The decision not to allow the rally was made to maintain law and order situation”.
There are important events scheduled in Lahore on February 8, such as a cricket match, an international speaker conference and a horse and cattle show, the DC added. The government official said that thousands of security personnel had already been deployed due to these events.
Earlier Thursday, the Lahore High Court (LHC) instructed the deputy commissioner to decide by 5pm on PTI’s request to hold a rally at the Minar-e-Pakistan. Justice Farooq Haider issued the directive while hearing a petition filed by PTI Punjab Chief Organiser Aliya Hamza on February 3, seeking permission for the public gathering.
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