On Friday, Quetta’s local administration denied the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) permission to conduct a public rally due to law and order concerns, despite a court order supporting the event. The PTI had planned to stage a protest at the Hockey Ground in Quetta on Saturday.
Quetta’s Deputy Commissioner, Saad bin Asad, citing security risks, requested that the PTI postpone the event. He noted that public service commission exams were scheduled at Ayub National Stadium and activities were ongoing at the Hockey Ground. Asad warned of consequences for anyone defying the directive.
A PTI provincial spokesperson accused the Deputy Commissioner of using delaying tactics to withhold permission, despite a court mandate to facilitate the rally.
Meanwhile, the PTI is preparing for another public gathering in the Service Area near Swabi Interchange, announced by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur last Saturday. Initially scheduled for November 8 in Peshawar, the event has been moved to November 9 at Swabi Interchange. Here, Gandapur plans to issue a “final call” to overthrow the current government.
This announcement was made during a press conference outside Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail after Gandapur met with PTI founder Imran Khan. He stated the party’s patience had worn thin after enduring arrests and torture without retaliation.