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LAHORE: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf has severely criticized a sudden ban on all political rallies and gathering in Lahore and urged upon its workers to remain peaceful. The criticism came after Punjab Home Department issued notification minutes before PTI’s planned rally to Data Darbar, banning all political gatherings, rallies and processions for 7 days effective immediately.
Also read: Minutes before PTI’s rally, Punjab govt immediately bans gatherings in Lahore
Addressing a hurriedly called press conference, PTI leader Hamad Azhar said the government had already registered 77 fake cases against Imran Khan and those where supposed to be behind bars were getting acquittals.
He spoke to media as heavy contingent of Punjab Police continued to block roads and surrounding areas with containers and prison vans.
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He said “a large number of people were due to attend our rally,” adding that workers should remain peaceful as Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah wanted bloodshed.
Hamad Azhar asked how could it be possible that elections were going to be held on April 30 and the government was introducing bans and restrictions. He said PTI was law-abiding party and the ban showed that the caretaker government, whose only job was to hold elections in Punjab, wasn’t impartial.
Also read: Punjab govt urges PTI to tighten security for election rally
He said all roads leading to Zaman Park had been closed by heavy contingent of Police,and it seemed that the caretaker government was acting on some kind of ‘dictation from somewhere’.
Reacting on Twitter, Fawad Chaudhry termed the ban as new weapon of ‘fascist government’. He said “imperialist forces have always been afraid of the masses.”
پنجاب میں سیاسی اجتماعات پر پابندی فسطائ حکومت کا نیا ہتھیار ہے، سامراجی قوتیں ہمیشہ عوام سے خوفزدہ رہی ہیں پاکستان کے عوام نے اپنے حقوق کیلئے ہمیشہ لڑائ لڑی ہے ہم اپنے حق سے دستبردار نہیں ہوں گے اس فاشسٹ حکومت کے خلاف جدوجہد میں مزید تیزی آئیگی
— Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) March 8, 2023
Fawad Chaudhry further said that the people of Pakistan had always fought for their rights, and the same would happen again as they would not give up for their rights. He said the struggle against the present ‘fascist government’ would speed up.