The Lahore administration has allowed the PTI to hold a rally in the provincial capital’s Ring Road, Kahna instead of Minar-i-Pakistan on Saturday (tomorrow), with changes made to the venue and timing.

Incarcerated PTI founder Imran Khan has described the rally as a “do-or-die” situation and expressed confidence in the success of the party’s power show in Lahore.

The decision came after a meeting involving the district administration and district intelligence concluded on Friday, during which, sources said, it was decided to grant conditional permission to the PTI rally based on police reports.

Previously, the PTI was offered three alternative locations for the rally, including Jallo Park, but the administration stated that the party could also hold gatherings at Wagah and Shahpur Kanjra, which the party declined.

According to Insaf Lawyers Forum’s Punjab President Shadab Jafri, the event would take place at the Kahna Cattle Market.

The deputy commissioner has set 43 conditions for the public gathering, including fixing a time limit for the rally from 3pm to 6pm, in a no objection certificate (NOC).

The conditions for the rally include a public apology from KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur for his “vitriol” during the Islamabad gathering on September 8. Individuals facing trial for hate speech in previous events are prohibited from participating or appearing on stage.

The guidelines state that no anti-state or anti-institution slogans or statements are to be made during the rally. Furthermore, the PTI is barred from hoisting Afghan flags or bringing in Afghan-paid personnel to the event.

Another critical condition specifies that no proclaimed offenders are allowed to partake in the rally. If any such individuals do participate, it will be the responsibility of the rally’s administration to facilitate their arrest; failure to do so will result in charges of abetment against the organisers.

In a statement, PTI Chairman Gohar Ali Khan thanked the district administration for issuing the NOC and urged it to not place any blockades so that party supporters could gather for the rally and timely end it.

He called for party supporters to arrive at the site by 1pm.

LHC orders DC to decide by 5pm

Earlier in the day, the LHC ordered the city’s deputy commissioner to decide by 5pm upon PTI’s petitions for permission to hold a rally in the provincial capital tomorrow (Saturday).

A three-member bench, constituted by LHC Chief Justice Aalia Neelum, took up the petitions a day ago and sought the personal appearance of top civil brass, including the Punjab chief secretary, the police chief, the commissioner, the DC, and the advocate general.

The PTI has initiated its mass contact campaign to gather support for its rally at Minar-i-Pakistan in Lahore. Petitions for the upcoming gathering have been submitted by PTI leaders, including former MNA Aalia Hamza Malik, MPA Imtiaz Mahmood Sheikh, and Lahore Vice President Akmal Khan Bari.

On Friday, a bench led by Justice Farooq Haider, alongside Justices Tariq Nadeem and Ali Zia Bajwa, resumed hearings on such petitions. The court instructed Deputy Commissioner Syed Musa Raza to make a decision regarding PTI’s recent application by 5pm on Friday (today).

Also, read this

Former PM Khan warns of ‘filling jails’ if Lahore rally is halted

PTI eliminated from National Assembly as secretariat issues new party position

PkMAP chief warns of nationwide strike if Imran Khan not released

While the party sought a NOC for the rally, the LHC judge also directed the registrar’s office to schedule a hearing for a separate petition by PTI requesting permission to hold the event.

In recent months, the Punjab Home Department has frequently imposed Section 144 to prohibit political gatherings, including on August 21, when measures were taken to prevent PTI leaders and supporters from attending a planned power show in Islamabad, which was ultimately postponed.

Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari questioned why a rally should be allowed for those she claims “spew hatred and curse on stage.” She told Geo News, “You will never hear any political talk from their stage.”