PTI allowed to hold rally at its own risk

LAHORE

The City District Government Lahore (CDGL) has allowed Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) to hold its planned rally (Jalsa) at Adda Plot, Main Raiwind Road on September 30. 

In response to the PTI’s request to the CDGL seeking permission for holding a public gathering at Adda Plot, the Lahore DCO, in his letter dated September 28, 2016 (a copy is available with The News), allowed the PTI to hold the rally, but at its own risk. He, in the letter, said it is reiterated that the threat alerts to the public gatherings/public places and threats to the district were shared with the representatives of the PTI. 

The CDGL’s permission letter said in the wake of threat alerts and security concerns, public gathering at Adda Plot Raiwind Road is not advised and not recommended. It is further added that Adda Plot falls on the main Raiwind Road, which is an intercity highway connecting Lahore with District Kasur. Further, there are numerous housing societies and businesses on the main Raiwind Road.

“Even then, if your party decided to hold the Jalsa at the said venue, you will be solemnly responsible for any untoward incident,” it said, adding it is further advised that Jalsa may be shifted to an open plot where traffic hindrance is minimum and there is no public inconvenience or hindrance to emergency services.

However, for ensuring foolproof security arrangements at the Jalsa, the PTI was directed to ensure a strict code of conduct, mentioned in the DCO’s letter. The important points of Code of Conduct included that the organiser shall be responsible for any damage to the public property, the height of the stage shall not be more than 20-feet, containers shall be placed by the organisers as and where required, iron pipes shall be erected around the stage, nobody shall be allowed access to the stage except for leaders whose names shall be provided to police at least 24 hours prior to the Jalsa, stable and secure stairs shall be used for the stage, organisers shall maintain a disciplined and a peaceful atmosphere, organisers shall nominate Razakars to secure entry and exit points, organisers shall arrange generators to ensure uninterrupted power supply, emergency gates shall be made near stage, minor children shall not be brought to Jalsa, participants shall not be provoked, encouraged, forced to break security barrier, no one shall be forced to close business, there should not be hooting in front of the offices of political/religious parties, no speeches against constitutional affairs, armed forces and judiciary.

It said no one shall be allowed to enter the venue with batons, there shall be no utterance which is likely to injure the feeling of any religious group, sect and party. Display of firearm shall be strictly prohibited and fireworks shall not be used, organisers shall follow the traffic plan, district police will be allowed to make reception desks, there shall be no wall chalking in any part of the city regarding Jalsa, peaceful atmosphere shall be maintained, objectionable/offensive slogans shall be prohibited, no one shall be forced to attend the Jalsa from within the city or from any other district, for safety of the general public, maintenance of law and order police shall check any person/vehicle without any hindrance, no effigy, flag of any political party, religious party or any person belonging to any country shall be burnt, parking area for the vehicles coming to the Jalsa shall be designated by traffic police, administration of Jalsa shall fully cooperate with police, security near and around the stage and inside pandal shall be the responsibility of the organisers, the organisers shall make sure that all conditions are fulfilled, CCTV cameras with night vision capability shall be installed by the organisers at appropriate places. The letter concluded that in view of the overall security situation and threat alerts

 received from different quarters, the organisers are once again cautioned and strongly advised to undertake all requisite precautionary measures in and around the venue for safety of participants and general public since this public gathering is being convened at their call. The copy of the permission letter was also sent to Punjab Home Department, Lahore Commissioner, CCPO, CTO and other departments concerned.