Imran Khan, the chairman of the PTI, declared on Monday that the party would stage a power display at the Minar-e-Pakistan on March 19 as its twice-postponed election rally was ultimately carried out peacefully.
The party tried unsuccessfully to obtain relief from the Election Commission or the Lahore High Court against the caretaker Punjab government’s decree enforcing Section 144 in the provincial capital, therefore the rally—originally planned for Saturday and Sunday—was postponed.
Section 144 had been implemented by the interim Punjab administration due to a Pakistan Super League game at the Qaddafi Stadium and a marathon that was taking place nearby. However, in a notification on Sunday, the administration had allowed the PTI to take out the public rally on Monday (today) but mentioned that it would carry “high-security risk due to the general and specific threats against political gatherings and previous instance of attack on the ex-prime minister”.
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After receiving an assurance from the organizer that “he shall be held liable in case of any unforeseen incidence,” permission was granted. Moreover, speeches critical of the judicial system and military were prohibited by the notification.
Imran promised to speak at the event and outline a plan to help the nation resolve its current problems. He urged Lahore residents to start getting ready for the power show.
