The PTI has postponed its power show, originally scheduled for 6pm today in Islamabad’s Tarnol, following the district administration’s cancellation of the no-objection certificate (NOC) issued to the party.
Earlier this week, the PTI approached the Islamabad High Court (IHC) to secure the NOC from the administration. On Thursday, the IHC dismissed the petition after the state counsel confirmed the NOC had been granted for the rally.
However, in an official press release issued on Friday, the Islamabad administration, without naming the party, announced the NOC for the “political gathering” had been revoked due to “security issues.”
The administration stated that the NOC issued by the deputy commissioner was reassessed in light of security concerns. The chief commissioner, considering the current security situation, the advent of Muharram, and reports from law enforcement agencies, decided to cancel the certificate.
Speaking to reporters late last night, Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Omar Ayub Khan asserted that his party would proceed with the planned meeting “come what may.”
In a press conference today alongside PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Khan, Ayub announced the party’s decision to postpone the rally. “God willing […] we will hold it after Ashura through a legal process,” he said.
“We will not only hold this rally but also several others in Lahore, Karachi, and other cities,” Ayub stated. “Don’t force us towards a mass agitation,” he warned.
He mentioned that the district administration had provided the coordinates for the Tarnol rally. “Our preparations were underway until late last night … but then the police sealed the site and the deputy commissioner canceled the NOC,” he lamented.
“What was the deputy commissioner thinking? Were you not in your senses while signing the order? Did you not consider Muharram then?” the PTI leader asked.
At the outset of the media briefing, Barrister Gohar claimed that several PTI workers had been detained in recent days, vowing to bring the matter before the court. “We strongly condemn this state brutality,” he said.
“This government […] will only last a few days. God willing, our struggle for democracy will continue,” he added.
Contempt Petition
Earlier in the day, the party filed a petition in the IHC seeking contempt proceedings against the Islamabad district administration and police.
The plea, a copy of which is available with Dawn.com, named the Islamabad chief commissioner, deputy commissioner, inspector general of police, senior superintendent of police (operations), and the SHOs of Tarnol and Ramna police stations as respondents.
The petition stated that the party had approached the IHC for the NOC to hold the rally and during the hearing, the court was informed that permission had been granted.
The plea highlighted that the Islamabad police had arrested PTI Islamabad region’s president Amir Mughal outside the deputy commissioner’s office a day before the planned power show.
“All the respondents have started creating hindrances in holding the jalsa, acting in connivance with each other from the start of the NOC issuance,” it stated, adding that numerous PTI workers were also harassed.
The petition further argued that the reasons cited for the NOC cancellation were “malafide,” “based on ulterior motives,” a result of “political victimization,” and a “clear contempt” of court orders.
It subsequently requested that contempt proceedings be initiated against the respondents and the party be allowed to hold the rally as per the NOC. Additionally, it requested that authorities be restrained from harassing PTI workers.
