ISLAMABAD: Due to scheduled protests, the Islamabad district administration has decided to close all public and private educational institutions on Thursday.
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has announced plans to hold a rally in the federal capital today (Thursday), despite the earlier revocation of the non-objection certificate (NOC) that had been granted to the party founded by Imran Khan.
The interior ministry stated that the decision to close the schools was made to ensure the safety of students in Islamabad.
On Wednesday, PTI Islamabad President Amir Mughal acknowledged that the district administration had canceled the NOC but asserted, “We haven’t canceled the rally.” He emphasized that “a peaceful political struggle is our constitutional and legal right.”
The district administration revoked the NOC based on a report from the district intelligence committee, according to an official statement.
The decision was made during a meeting chaired by Islamabad Chief Commissioner Chaudhry Mohammad Ali Randhawa. The session also reviewed the NOC that had been issued by Deputy Commissioner Islamabad.
During the meeting, Islamabad Inspector General of Police (IGP) Ali Nasir Rizvi highlighted security concerns due to multiple ongoing events.
Citing strict security concerns, the administration noted the presence of the Bangladesh cricket team in Islamabad, adding that it would be difficult to manage the crowd at a large rally.
“Recently, some protesters also reached the Supreme Court building,” the administration noted, explaining that in such circumstances, granting permission for public rallies is not feasible.
Imran Khan, who was removed as prime minister via a parliamentary vote in 2022, had decided to hold a public rally in the federal capital on August 22 after a prolonged struggle to stage a power show in Islamabad.
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