BAJAUR: The local administration has refused to grant permission to Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf’s local leadership to hold a workers’ convention planned for Saturday (today) here in Bajaur tribal district.

Sources in the district administration and PTI leaders told Dawn on Friday that deputy commissioner Mohammad Anwarul Haq had refused to permit the PTI district leadership to hold the convention at the residence of former provincial minister Anwarzeb Khan in Raghagan area of Khar.

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They said in the order, the deputy commissioner cited multiple reasons for the refusal, including the imposition of Section 144 banning the gathering of more than five people in the district, and the delay in seeking permission by the party leaders for the event.

The sources said in the order issued to former PTI lawmakers Gul Dad Khan, Gul Zafar Khan, former provincial minister Anwarzeb, Dr Khalilur Rehman and former MPA Ajmal Khan, the DC noted they should have submitted an application for seeking permission for the convention at least nine days prior to the event.

Admin seals venue of gathering in Khar

However, the DC said the PTI leaders applied for the permission only three days before the planned gathering, which according to him was unlawful.

Moreover, the DC said PTI leadership didn’t mention the venue of the gathering in the application.

However, PTI leaders, including Anwarzeb, in their social media posts vowed to hold the workers’ convention at all costs.

They claimed a large number of party workers would participate in the event.

Meanwhile, in the latest development, the district administration on Friday evening sealed the hujra of Anwarzeb Khan, the venue of the workers’ convention, the sources said.

In a separate post on his social media account on Friday evening, former provincial minister Anwarzeb claimed a team of district administration officials sealed his guest house. He said such acts won’t prevent them from holding the gathering.

Meanwhile, deputy commissioner Anwarul Haq in a press release issued on Friday evening stated that the district administration didn’t seal the former provincial minister’s guest house.

However, he said the administration only sealed the place where the said gathering was scheduled. He said the district administration won’t allow holding of workers’ convention as the situation was not suitable for such gatherings in the district.

Also on Friday, the district administration imposed ban on pillion-ridding across the district for one month, according to a statement.

Published in Dawn, December 9th, 2023