District Administration Cancels NOC for Federal Capital Rally Citing Security Concerns.
The district administration has revoked the No Objection Certificate (NOC) previously issued for a public rally in the federal capital, citing security concerns.
The cancellation of the NOC, which had been granted to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) for their planned rally, was announced following a report from the district intelligence committee. This decision was made during a meeting chaired by Islamabad Chief Commissioner Chaudhry Mohammad Ali Randhawa, where security concerns were raised by Islamabad Inspector General of Police (IGP) Ali Nasir Rizvi.
The administration highlighted several issues contributing to the revocation, including the presence of the Bangladesh cricket team in Islamabad and recent protests near the Supreme Court building. These factors, combined with the expected large turnout for the rally, led to concerns about maintaining public order.
Despite the NOC’s cancellation, PTI Islamabad President Amir Mughal stated that the party remains committed to holding the rally as planned. He emphasized that peaceful political demonstrations are a constitutional right. Mughal insisted that the party would proceed with the event, underscoring their commitment to a lawful and non-violent political struggle.
The announcement of the rally, set for August 22, came amid ongoing political tensions and was seen as a significant move by Imran Khan, the former prime minister removed from office in 2022. Khan had expressed his determination to hold the rally in Islamabad as a show of political strength.
Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar had previously expressed doubts about whether PTI would be granted permission for the rally, citing past instances of opposition protests being restricted.
In response, PTI leader Sher Afzal Marwat assured that the rally would be conducted peacefully, with participants unarmed and focused on demonstrating their political resolve. He warned, however, that any use of force against the rally would provoke a strong reaction nationwide.
