Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Monday announced plans to hold a public rally at Minar-e-Pakistan in Lahore on August 5 and formally sought permission from the district administration.
PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja, accompanied by other party leaders, met the Deputy Commissioner of Lahore and submitted an application requesting approval for the gathering.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Raja said holding a peaceful public rally at Minar-e-Pakistan was the party’s constitutional and democratic right.
“We hope the district administration will facilitate a peaceful rally,” he said.
Raja said PTI had applied in accordance with the law and urged the authorities to allow the event either at Minar-e-Pakistan or at another suitable venue on August 5.
“If other political parties can be granted permission to hold public meetings, why should we be denied the same right?” he asked.
He said the party intended to use the rally to present the views of its supporters.
The announcement follows remarks by Aleema Khan, the sister of former prime minister and PTI founder Imran Khan, who described August 5 as a “decisive battle” for her brother’s release from prison.
Addressing supporters in Mansehra on Saturday, Aleema Khan said PTI workers would not assemble at Islamabad’s D-Chowk, as in previous protests, but would instead head directly to Adiala Jail to continue their campaign for Imran Khan’s release.
She also accused the government of issuing false statements in the jailed PTI founder’s name and circulating them through the media.
Aleema Khan further said Punjab had played a key role in PTI’s electoral success by helping the party win around 100 constituencies, and urged supporters in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to stand alongside Punjab in the campaign for Imran Khan’s release.