Islamabad district admin rejects PTI request for March 30 rally

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad district administration on Sunday ultimately denied Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) permission to hold a public rally in Islamabad on March 30, citing security concerns regarding alleged electoral rigging, post-election manipulations, and perceived constitutional violations during the February 8 general elections.

This decision was made before the expiration of a two-day deadline set by the Islamabad High Court (IHC) for the district administration to resolve PTI’s request for authorization to hold a public gathering at the end of March. The PTI, founded by Imran Khan, had approached the court, alleging a lack of response from the city administration to their request and sought judicial intervention.

In response, PTI’s regional president, Aamir Masood Mughal, confirmed the denial and announced the party’s intention to readdress the matter with the IHC. Mughal emphasized that if the government cannot ensure security even in the capital, it forfeits its right to govern.

PTI contends that the current government unlawfully obtained their electoral mandate, alleging alterations in Form 47s to favor the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP).