LAHORE: The Lahore district administration has denied Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) permission to hold a public gathering at Minar-e-Pakistan on February 8, citing security concerns. PTI had planned to observe February 8 as a “Black Day” to mark the first anniversary of what it claims were “rigged elections.”
In a statement issued late Thursday, the Lahore Deputy Commissioner (DC) explained that the decision to reject the rally request was made to maintain law and order. The DC also noted that there are several significant events scheduled in Lahore on the same day, including a cricket match, an international speaker conference, and a horse and cattle show. As a result, thousands of security personnel had already been deployed for these events.
Earlier, the Lahore High Court (LHC) had directed the Deputy Commissioner to make a decision on PTI’s rally request by 5pm on Thursday. The directive followed a petition filed by PTI Punjab Chief Organiser Aliya Hamza, who sought approval for the gathering at Minar-e-Pakistan.
The PTI, after its negotiations with the government collapsed, had announced protests against the upcoming 2024 elections, which it, along with other opposition parties, has repeatedly condemned for alleged rigging and theft of its mandate. The party ended its negotiations after the government failed to form a judicial commission to investigate the May 9 riots and the November 2024 protests, as PTI had demanded.
The dialogue process between the PTI and the PML-N-led government began in late December, following months of political tension. PTI has also planned a rally in Swabi on February 8. PTI Khyber Pakhtunkhwa President Junaid Akbar warned that any misunderstanding of the party’s intention to engage in dialogue with the government as a sign of weakness could lead to further agitation against the ruling coalition.
In recent months, PTI has staged several protests and power shows across the country. Last year, the party’s demonstrations in Islamabad led to a crackdown on its workers, with several leaders facing legal cases.
