The PTI has alleged that affiliation with the party and carrying its flag had become a crime in the country.

Speaking at a press conference, PTI core committee member Shoaib Shaheen said the party had on Jan 28 announced holding peaceful rallies across the country, but law enforcement agencies launched a crackdown on them and a number of arrests were made.

Advocate Shaheen, who is contesting the election from NA-47 (Islamabad), said the party candidates were not being allowed to hold even corner meetings in Islamabad and other places in the country. He said PTI leader Raja Qaiser Ghaffar decided to hold a meeting at his house in Islamabad, but police entered the home.

“We are not getting a level playing field, but this attitude is triggering reaction among the masses and creating a soft corner in the hearts of people. The current situation was not even observed during the martial law regime. I appeal to Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa to intervene and stop the worst rigging. Otherwise, the Supreme Court will be held responsible for that,” he warned.

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