LAHORE: The Punjab home department has seemingly permitted PTI leaders and workers to attend the party’s public gathering in Islamabad today, although PTI leadership claims that police have been directed to restrict their movement within their respective districts.
The government stated that the state machinery would act if the PTI incites violence in Punjab.
Despite not imposing Section 144, following permission from Islamabad’s deputy commissioner for the PTI rally, the party alleges that district police officers have been instructed to check every vehicle leaving each district to prevent participants from traveling to the protest.
Punjab PTI spokesperson Shaukat Basra accused the Punjab police of issuing ‘unconstitutional’ orders to block workers and announced plans to challenge these in court. He stated that the party has revised its strategy, urging supporters to reach Islamabad individually to avoid police intervention.
Basra also condemned police ‘harassment’ of party workers and criticized “fake Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz” for directing such actions. In a video message, he called on citizens to support the rally in solidarity with detained PTI leaders, including Imran Khan, Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Bushra Begum, and Dr. Yasmin Rashid.
Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari warned that if PTI stirs unrest in the province, the state machinery will respond accordingly. She criticized the PTI’s continuous calls for protests and rallies, labeling the party a “fitna party” driven by malice and prejudice against Maryam Nawaz.
Bokhari claimed that the PTI’s agenda, led by Imran Khan, aims to lead the country toward disaster, and warned of state action if the party incites chaos or arson in Punjab. She urged the public to remain vigilant and recognize their true enemies.
