PTI's August 13 rally shifted from Islamabad to Lahore's Hockey Ground

Published August 8, 2022
Supporters gesture and wave PTI flags as they attend a rally in Lahore. —AFP/File
Supporters gesture and wave PTI flags as they attend a rally in Lahore. —AFP/File

The PTI has shifted the venue of its August 13 "Haqeeqi Azadi jalsa" from Islamabad's Parade Ground to the Lahore Hockey Ground, party's focal person Azhar Mashwani said on Monday.

"The decision was taken by chairman Imran Khan in a meeting today," he said in a statement, elaborating that the development comes after the party learnt about the federal government's "insufficient" plans for celebrations on Independence Day.

"[The] proud Pakistanis of Lahore will celebrate the 75th Independence Day in a grand manner at Hockey Stadium Lahore," he said.

Mashwani added that the ex-premier will attend the rally and address supporters as well.

Separately, a tweet on PTI's official Twitter account said that it will celebrate independence day "in a grand manner" in Lahore.

Meanwhile, in a press conference at Bani Gala earlier in the day, PTI leader Omar Ayub said that party workers had visited the Pindi Cricket Stadium and Liaqat National Bagh.

"We were told that the stadium just got new pitches while plantation was underway in the park."

He went on that the PTI had been given permission for the rally at Islamabad's Parade Ground. "But at the last moment we found out that the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan wanted to hold a protest there and it could have created problems.

"Hence, we came to the conclusion that Lahore is the best location [for the rally]," he said, adding that ground was spacious and could fit all of Imran's supporters.

On Sunday, the PTI chief had said that he would announce a strategy to “counter this fascism” during the August 13 rally.

Meanwhile, at a press conference earlier in the day, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah warned the PTI of "worst repercussions" if its upcoming protest turned violent.

Opinion

Editorial

Strange claim
Updated 21 Dec, 2024

Strange claim

In all likelihood, Pakistan and US will continue to be ‘frenemies'.
Media strangulation
Updated 21 Dec, 2024

Media strangulation

Administration must decide whether it wishes to be remembered as an enabler or an executioner of press freedom.
Israeli rampage
21 Dec, 2024

Israeli rampage

ALONG with the genocide in Gaza, Israel has embarked on a regional rampage, attacking Arab and Muslim states with...
Tax amendments
Updated 20 Dec, 2024

Tax amendments

Bureaucracy gimmicks have not produced results, will not do so in the future.
Cricket breakthrough
20 Dec, 2024

Cricket breakthrough

IT had been made clear to Pakistan that a Champions Trophy without India was not even a distant possibility, even if...
Troubled waters
20 Dec, 2024

Troubled waters

LURCHING from one crisis to the next, the Pakistani state has been consistent in failing its vulnerable citizens....