In Pakistan, a ban on gatherings has been enforced in Punjab, Balochistan, and Islamabad as the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) plans a rally in Swabi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. This rally marks the first anniversary of the February 8 general elections, which PTI observes as a "black day" due to alleged rigging and communication shutdowns during the elections.
PTI's request to hold a rally at Minar-i-Pakistan in Lahore was denied by the Lahore High Court. Despite this, PTI's Punjab chief organiser, Aliya Hamza Malik, has urged party leaders to protest. Section 144, a legal provision that restricts gatherings, has been imposed in Islamabad, Punjab, and Balochistan to maintain law and order.
PTI supporters, including senior leader Taimur Saleem Khan Jhagra, are heading to Swabi. Jhagra demands the release of Imran Khan and reparations for the public mandate. PTI is also broadcasting the event live on their X account.
Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif criticized PTI, stating that permission cannot be granted for actions similar to past violent events. He accused PTI of using government resources for their gatherings and questioned the absence of such events in other provinces. Asif emphasized that peaceful gatherings are acceptable but criticized PTI's history of violence.
Aliya Hamza Malik has instructed PTI leaders to use the protests to educate people about the significance of February 8 and PTI's resilience. She stressed the importance of peaceful and disciplined protests that reflect PTI's principles of justice and accountability.
PTI stands for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, which is a political party in Pakistan. It was founded by Imran Khan, who is a famous cricketer turned politician.
A 'Black Day' is a term used to mark an event that is considered negative or unfortunate. In this context, PTI is observing it to protest against what they believe was unfairness in the elections.
Swabi is a city in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. It is where PTI is planning to hold their rally.
A ban on gatherings means that people are not allowed to come together in large groups. This is often done to maintain peace and order, especially during tense situations.
Section 144 is a law that allows the government to prohibit gatherings of people in an area to prevent disturbances. It is used to maintain public order.
Imran Khan is a well-known political leader in Pakistan and the founder of PTI. He was also a famous cricketer before entering politics.
Khawaja Asif is a politician in Pakistan and the current Defence Minister. He is critical of PTI's actions in this situation.
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