The Lahore High Court (LHC), in a landmark decision, denied the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), is the right to host a rally at Lahore’s Liberty Chowk, and the same restriction should apply to all other parties.
The ruling followed a petition from PTI Lahore’s President, Azeemullah Khan, appealing for the court’s approval to stage a gathering at the venue on October 15.
Authorities brought forth a notice from the provincial capital’s deputy commissioner during Friday’s hearing, which explicitly denied PTI’s request for a rally at Liberty Chowk. The decision was rooted in May 9 when PTI supporters reportedly vandalized state properties, starting from that location. Citing security risks associated with the venue, a law officer emphasized denying PTI’s plea.
However, in a striking response, Justice Raheel Kamran decreed that if PTI cannot hold its rally, the same prohibition should be applied across the board, preventing all parties from using the venue. When proposed to consider an alternative location for the rally, the law officer assured a decision within 72 hours, given that an official request was made.
After hearing the law officer’s commitment, the court closed the petition, urging PTI to propose another location through a formal application to the deputy commissioner.
The plea stems from PTI’s intent to unveil its manifesto at Liberty Chowk in anticipation of the imminent general elections. Despite their previous attempt to gain permission, PTI contends that hosting the rally is their legal entitlement.
As the political landscape heats up for the upcoming January elections, other major players are also in motion. Notably, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) is planning a grand gathering at Minar-e-Pakistan in Lahore on October 21. This event is anticipated to mark the return of the party’s leader, Nawaz Sharif, after a prolonged four-year absence from the nation.
