RAWALPINDI: Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) on Tuesday filed an application with the district administration, seeking permission for holding public meeting on Sept 28 in Liaquat Bagh or Bhatta Chowk (Cattle Market).

However, the district administration referred the application to District Intelligence Committee for its comments.

PTI application was submitted by PTI District President Chaudhry Ameer Zaman Afzal and General Secretary Khan Aqil Khan, through their lawyers Ghulam Husnain Murtaza Sumbal Advocate, Chaudhry Awais Younas Advocate and Nabeel Ahmed Satti Advocate.

In three pages application, PTI tried to convince deputy commissioner Dr Hassan Waqar Cheema through different cases of Benazir Bhutto vs Government of Pakistan in Supreme Court to operate a political party, right to assembly or gathering, Abul Ala Maudoodi case in Supreme Court in 1964.

It stated that PTI is largest political party of the country and it believes in maintenance of law and order and discipline, therefore, the office bearers of PTI are ready to fully cooperate with Deputy Commissioner to ensure smooth and hassle-free political gathering on Sept 28 in Rawalpindi.

That PTI is the largest political party, a big stakeholder in the political and parliamentary system of Pakistan. The PTI, and its members, leadership and supporters have a fundamental right to do political activities in Pakistan as guaranteed under the Constitution. Denial of such a rights tantamount to violating the basic constitutional principle on which foundations of political party (PTI) rests.

The august Supreme Court in Benazir Bhutto Vs Federation in 1988 observed ‘if men are ever to be able to break bonds of oppression or servitude, they must be free to meet and discuss their grievances and to work out in unison a plan of action to see things right.

Published in Dawn, September 25th, 2024