The Islamabad district administration has issued a no-objection certificate (NOC) to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) for its rally scheduled for September 8, along with 41 specific conditions.
A detailed route plan has also been provided for attendants travelling via motorway from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab, according to the notification issued on Thursday.
The rally would take place at the open grounds of GT Road Singhu Jai. It is scheduled to start at 4pm and conclude by 7pm. The administration has stated that anti-state speeches or slogans would not be permitted and the permission is valid only for September 8, with organisers required to ensure the return of participants that same night.
As per the district administration’s conditions, the organisers would be responsible for internal security at the event and any speech or slogan against the state would be prohibited.
Moreover, a separate map has been issued for those coming from KP and Punjab via the motorway, with distinct routes provided for those travelling via GT Road from Punjab, as well as separate route plans for Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and Murree.
Imran Khan’s PTI announced the new date for a rally after the party cancelled the August 22 rally at the eleventh hour because of “the government’s conspiracy to spread chaos.”
Later, Khan said he postponed the rally due to concerns over potential unrest. A few ministers revealed that they had contacted the PTI before the rally and facilitated the meeting between ex-prime minister Imran Khan and others at 7am on August 22.
When asked about the public gathering, PTI Information Secretary Raoof Hassan told Voice of America Urdu that the rally would be held whether get permission or not.
“The rally on September 8 will take place regardless of whether permission is granted,” Hasan said.