During the by-election period, Karor Police Station in Bhakkar enforced a prohibition against the local leadership of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) from entering the district.
The ban specifically targets Abdul Majid Ahmad Khan Niazi, a former National Assembly member, and his son Abdul Rahim Khan Niazi, as stated in a notice issued by the Station House Officer (SHO) of Karor Police Station. The notice warns of strict legal repercussions if the ban is violated.
This directive swiftly ignited a strong backlash from PTI leaders and supporters on social media. Hammad Azhar, PTI’s central secretary-general, criticized the move, likening it to tactics used during the British Raj and asserting that the current level of authoritarianism exceeds those historical precedents.
Furthermore, PTI has faced additional hurdles: despite having court approval to hold a rally in Lahore, authorities unexpectedly cut the lights and arrested several party workers.
Similarly, in Kasur, legal action was initiated against organizing a rally, and in Bhakkar, the entry of PTI leadership into the district was explicitly banned. These incidents highlight increasing tensions and challenges faced by PTI in the lead-up to the by-elections.
