After the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) called off its scheduled rally in Islamabad today, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur distributed Rs5,000 to each party worker and supporter who had gathered for the much-anticipated event.
Imran Khan, the imprisoned PTI founder, had instructed party leaders to organize a power show in the federal capital on August 22, according to Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif, Adviser to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister on Information.
In a press conference on August 18, Saif assured that the event would proceed without any law and order issues.
However, the district administration later revoked the no-objection certificate (NOC) that had been issued to the party, citing a report from the district intelligence committee.
Despite the NOC revocation, PTI initially decided to proceed with the public gathering in the Tarnol area of Islamabad. Due to security concerns, the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) administration blocked roads at various entry points to prevent the rally from taking place.
As PTI activists began arriving in Swabi, the party decided to cancel the event. Workers were then given Rs5,000 each as they dispersed.
Accompanied by PTI leaders Omar Ayub and Shibli Faraz, Chief Minister Gandapur personally distributed the cash among the supporters.
When questioned about the cash distribution, Barrister Saif explained that there was no specific reason behind it, stating that the KP chief minister, as a well-wisher of the poor, distributed the money from his own pocket.
Sources indicated that Gandapur was determined to hold the public gathering, and along with former National Assembly speaker Asad Qaiser, had planned to reach Islamabad regardless of the circumstances.
However, the Islamabad administration has now issued a permit for the party to hold a rally on September 8, with a notification released by the district magistrate of Islamabad to this effect.
