On Sunday, Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif, who advises the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on information, announced that Imran Khan, the founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), plans to hold a public rally in Islamabad on August 22. Imran Khan is currently in jail.
Saif assured during a press conference that the rally would be peaceful. He said, “We promise there won’t be any trouble with law and order,” and emphasized that the party will do its best to follow the rules.
This comes after PTI has faced many challenges in getting permission to hold a rally in Islamabad. The authorities have often refused due to safety concerns.
PTI’s Struggles to Hold a Rally in Islamabad Amid Safety Concerns and Legal Challenges
In June, the Islamabad High Court suggested that PTI and city officials work together to resolve the issue. Eventually, the Deputy Commissioner allowed PTI to hold a public gathering. However, this permission was later taken back by the Islamabad Chief Commissioner because of the start of Muharram, safety concerns, and complaints from local people.
PTI then asked the court to take action against those who canceled their permit. After the court dismissed this request, PTI again asked for permission to hold a rally on August 13 in Islamabad.
For months, PTI has been trying to organize a rally in the capital. Saif’s announcement follows a recent statement by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, who also said the party plans to hold a rally in Islamabad. “No one can stop us from holding a rally,” Gandapur said at a PTI event in Swabi, which marked one year since Imran Khan’s imprisonment.
Saif added that many supporters from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are expected to join the rally. He also said that Imran Khan wants the party to keep asking for permission from the authorities and the courts.
