ISLAMABAD: The PTI postponed its planned power show in Tarnol on Saturday after the Islamabad administration cancelled its no-objection certificate (NOC) at the eleventh hour and police sealed the venue.

The party has since filed a contempt of court petition against the district administration for cancelling the permission.

Flanked by Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Omar Ayub Khan, and other party leaders Asad Qaiser, Ali Muhammad Khan and PTI Central Information Secretary Raoof Hasan, PTI chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan announced the postponement during a press conference.

Mr Ayub said that the site of Tarnol, a small town and suburb located about 5km north-west of Islamabad, was allocated by the administration. “Our preparations were ongoing until late last night, but then the police sealed the site and the deputy commissioner revoked the NOC out of fear of PTI workers. There is no governance in the country.”

Party to hold ‘historic’ public gathering, rallies after Ashura

Mr Gohar said the party’s Political Committee decided to postpone the public meeting, which he said was intended to restore constitutional supremacy and the rule of law. He highlighted that PTI had received the NOC after requesting it for four months, only to have it cancelled at the last minute by the commissioner. He claimed that the administration’s actions amounted to contempt of court, as neither the commissioner nor the DC could cancel the NOC.

Mr Gohar hoped the court would hear their plea on Monday and allow PTI to proceed with the power show. He announced that PTI would now hold the public gathering after Ashura (July 17) with legal permission because the party “always rely on the law and the Constitution”. “Our workers are passionate and hopeful for the historic power show,” he added.

Regarding the All Parties Conference (APC), Mr Gohar mentioned that PTI had not received an invitation but would consider its agenda upon receipt. He also condemned the recent arrests of several PTI workers, vowing to take the matter to court.

Mr Ayub also criticised the local administration for revoking the NOC and wondered whether the DC Islamabad and chief commissioner were senseless when they signed the orders.

He announced that PTI would hold a historic public gathering after Ashura and that rallies would be held in Lahore, Karachi, and Faisalabad. However, he noted that a mass protest movement would be announced by Imran Khan.

He criticised the removal of rally equipment despite court orders and highlighted the party’s intent to seek details on the budget allocated for education and “Vigo vehicles” allegedly used to abduct PTI members.

Mr Ayub saluted PTI lawmakers and workers for their resilience, alleging that the government feared facing the public. He recalled how he had to wait outside the jail for five hours to meet Imran Khan, noting that his party would move a privilege motion against the Adiala Jail superintendent and a “colonel” and “major” who were allegedly controlling Adiala Jail.

Mr Qaiser reiterated that PTI’s founding chairman had instructed them to hold a rally only after obtaining legal permission, stressing their belief in the supremacy of law and the Constitution.

He criticised the authorities for preventing senior PTI leaders from meeting Imran Khan and condemned the PPP for its “double standard” on the budget and silence on human rights violations against PTI members.

Ali Muhammad criticised the revocation of the NOC, attributing it to fear generated by PTI’s successful gathering in Mansehra. He warned that Imran Khan’s potential hunger strike could trigger massive protests nationwide.

Contempt proceedings

Meanwhile, the PTI filed a contempt of court petition against the district administration for cancelling the permission for the Tarnol public gathering.

PTI’s counsel, Shoaib Shaheen, filed the petition in the IHC against the chief commissioner, deputy commissioner, ins­­­­­pector general, and others. The petition argued that the district administration flouted the IHC’s directions and denied PTI the right to hold the gathering.

The district administration had initially refused to issue no-objection certificate for the public meeting. After the court’s intervention, the deputy commissioner had initially allowed the jalsa, only to revoke the NOC later for unspecified reasons.

The petition said that PTI local leader Amir Masood Mughal was taken into custody when he visited the deputy commissioner’s office. PTI requested the court to initiate contempt proceedings against the officials for non-compliance with court orders.

Meanwhile, Judicial Magistrate Abbas Shah Ramna granted post-arrest bail to Mr Mughal, who was accused of obstructing public officials. His bail was set at Rs50,000 surety bonds.

Published in Dawn, July 7th, 2024