Section 144 imposed in Lahore as PTI announces a rally today

The Punjab government has once again imposed Section 144 in Lahore ahead of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf’s rally announced to be held today to avoid any untoward incident.

Interim Minister for Sports Amir Mir requested the PTI to forward its rally date, lamenting that the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf has once again announced holding a rally on an important day when Lahore is hosting the Pakistan Super League (PSL) match today.

“Lahore is hosting the PSL match. There is also a 40-kilometre-long marathon and cycle race in the city today,” the minister said.

Mir said that the administration had already informed the PTI about today’s events but the party ignored our request.

“In light of the situation, the Punjab government has decided to ban rallies today. Section 144 is being imposed to avoid any untoward incident,” the information minister.

He also noted that the electioneering begins 22 days before the polls ‘which means that the party is starting its campaign before the schedule’.

The Election Commission of Pakistan has announced polls in Punjab on April 30.

The minister advised PTI Chairman Imran Khan to cooperate with the government, ‘if he continues challenging the writ of the state then we will have to show strictness’.

In view of the election rally announced by PTI Chairman Imran Khan today, the Punjab government has called Rangers.

Meanwhile, the district administration has written a letter to PTI Lahore President Sheikh Imtiaz Mehmood in which it has been communicated to the party that due to ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) matches, Jashne Baharan and other events, the district administration is unable to provide security.