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LAHORE: The Chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan has postponed his election rally, scheduled for today, till tomorrow.
Also read: No restrictions on political rallies, 144 ban only for today, claims Mohsin Naqvi
His announcement came after the caretaker government of Punjab imposed section 144 in Lahore and deployed Rangers and heavy contingent of police force around Zaman Park, in an apparent bid to thwart PTI’s attempt to take out rally as part of its election campaign.
Interestingly, almost at the same time the ruling party PMLN was holding its workers ‘convention, Jashan-e-Baharan taking place at Jilani Park, Lucky Irani circus at Iqbal park, Light & music show-fort Shahi Qilla and 40 Km marathon all in Lahore on Sunday.
Also read: 10 days Rangers’ deployment sought ahead of Lahore PTI rally
On the orders of Supreme Court, President Arif Alvi had announced April 30 as date of elections for Punjab Assembly after its dissolution in January this year.
Also read: PTI files petition in ECP to challenge Section 144 in Lahore
Coincidentally, PTI leader Hammad Azhar spoke to newsmen, announcing to postpone election rally and urging workers not to get provoked, or take law into their hands.
لاہور: تحریک انصاف کے رہنما حماد اظہر نے تحریک انصاف کی ریلی ملتوی کرنے کا اعلان کر دیا ۔ کارکنان نے مشتعل نہیں ہونا آئین اور قانون کو ہاتھ میں نہیں لینا۔ pic.twitter.com/14BedkPtcK
— MM News (@mmnewsdottv) March 12, 2023
Taking to Twitter on Sunday, Imran Khan said “it seems again Sec 144 has been imposed illegally solely on PTI election campaign as all other public activities are ongoing in Lahore,” a reference to marathon rally held in Lahore and PMLN’s convention scheduled again in Lahore later today.
Also read: Caretaker Punjab govt imposes section 144 in Lahore, yet again
Khan said “only Zaman Park has been surrounded by containers & heavy police contingent. Clearly, like 8 March, Punjab CM & police want to provoke clashes to file more sham FIRs against PTI ldrshp & workers & to use as pretext for postponing elections.”
It seems again Sec 144 has been imposed illegally solely on PTI election campaign as all other public activities are ongoing in Lahore. Only Zaman Park has been surrounded by containers & heavy police contingent. Clearly, like 8 March, Punjab CM & police want to provoke clashes
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) March 12, 2023
He further said “Election Schedule has been announced so how can Sec 144 be imposed on pol activity? I AM TELLING ALL PTI WORKERS NOT TO FALL INTO THIS TRAP. Hence we have postponed rally till tomorrow.”
Also read: No chance of forgiveness for Imran Khan for plotting against COAS, claims Muneeb Farooq
