LHC seeks reply from DC over PTI’s plea for Feb 8 gathering – Pakistan

The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Tuesday sought a reply from the city’s deputy commissioner on a PTI plea seeking permission to hold a public rally at Minar-i-Pakistan on February 8.

The opposition PTI has decided to observe a black day on February 8 (Saturday) to protest against its “stolen mandate” in last year’s general elections, which were dominated by independent candidates that the party fielded.

Malik, the PTI’s newly appointed Punjab chief organiser, had submitted an application to Lahore DC Syed Musa Raza on January 29, seeking permission for the gathering. However, upon receiving no response, she then approached the LHC yesterday for the rally’s approval.

Presiding over the hearing today, Justice Farooq Haider directed DC Raza to appear in person on February 6 (Thursday) and submit a response on the petition filed by Malik, also a former PTI MNA.

The judge also sought responses from other respondents named in the plea — namely the Punjab government; the Lahore commissioner, DC and additional DC; and the state.

In her petition, Malik had termed it “strange” that whenever the PTI requested permission for a public gathering, security concerns were raised as a pretext to deny approval. The PTI leader also alleged that she was being harassed and threatened to withdraw the request.

The application detailed that the PTI leaders managing the power show would be Malik, Punjab Assembly Opposition Leader Malik Ahmad Bachhar, MPA Sheikh Imtiaz Mehmood, and Ali Ijaz Buttar.

The petition had asked the court to direct the authorities to grant permission for the rally and restrain law enforcement agencies from harassing or abducting PTI workers.

Speaking to the media yesterday, Malik said that in case of denial of permission for the Minar-i-Pakistan protest, the party would disclose its “plan B”.

The PTI has also announced a protest rally on February 8 in the Swabi district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where the PTI is in power.

To mark the occasion, the party would distribute Rs50 million in development funds among the village councils, as well as Rs200,000 each to PTI workers convicted by military courts recently over the May 9, 2023 riots.

More to follow