The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) submitted a formal request on Tuesday to the Rawalpindi district administration, seeking permission to hold a rally on September 28. The application, addressed to the deputy commissioner, outlines the party’s plan to organize the event at either Liaquat Bagh or Bhatta Chowk, both prominent venues in the city.
This move comes shortly after an announcement by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, following PTI’s large-scale public gathering in Lahore on September 21. Gandapur had stated that the party, led by Imran Khan, would continue its series of public gatherings, with upcoming events planned in Mianwali and Rawalpindi.
For several months, PTI has faced hurdles in securing approvals for public gatherings, as authorities have frequently denied permission due to security concerns and other logistical issues. However, despite these challenges, the party has managed to hold rallies in Islamabad and Lahore, albeit under stringent conditions. The most recent rally in Lahore, though successful in drawing crowds, was cut short by the authorities.
City officials had imposed a strict deadline for the Lahore rally, requiring the event to conclude by 6 PM. When the rally exceeded the deadline, police intervened by seizing control of the stage, cutting off the microphone and turning off the lights, which abruptly ended the gathering. Nonetheless, PTI continues its efforts to hold public rallies as part of its ongoing political campaign.
The Rawalpindi rally is seen as a significant part of PTI’s strategy, as it seeks to regain momentum and strengthen its public presence amid ongoing political challenges.
