The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is holding its highly anticipated rally in Lahore today, but preparations at the venue have been marred by disorganization and logistical challenges.
Despite the nominal arrangements, PTI workers have started arriving at the venue, which was designated at Jallo Park, instead of the initially planned Minar-e-Pakistan.
Party workers have been instructed to reach the venue by 1pm, but as of now, the stage construction at the assembly hall has yet to begin. Chairs and a sound system have been delivered to the auditorium, but the PTI administration has struggled to finalize the stage setup.
Monitoring preparations
PTI leaders Sheikh Waqas Akram and Malik Ahmad Bachhar visited the venue late last night to review the preparations, but adequate arrangements were still not in place.
Furthermore, barbed wire has been placed up to two kilometres on the Ring Road and the police has asked participants not to enter the rally venue by crossing the road. The police has also ordered that vehicles will not be allowed to be parked on the Ring Road, while a forklift and crane have been parked on the road to remove any vehicles violating the instructions.
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The police has further asked the participants of the rally to only take the prescribed route to reach the venue, adding that they have put up barbed wire only to prevent people from crossing the Ring Road.
Workers start arriving
PTI workers from cities across Punjab, including Layyah, Jhang, and Sargodha, have started to arrive at the Kahna area of Lahore, where the party rally will take place. Reportedly, adequate arrangements have not been made by the PTI administration, while it has also yet to decide where to set up the stage.
Although roads leading to the venue remain open, containers have been installed at several points on Ferozepur Road and on the entry points of the venue.
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PTI leader Sheikh Imtiaz has called on the people of Pakistan to participate fully in the Lahore rally, emphasizing the event's importance for the country's future. "This meeting is very important for the future of our country," Sheikh Imtiaz said, urging strong turnout.
Convoys from KP
On the other hand, convoys from various districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will depart for Lahore, and have been directed to reach the Swabi Interchange before proceeding. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur will lead the convoy from the Swabi Interchange in a container at 11am.
Reports indicate that heavy machinery has already been delivered to the interchange, with the chief minister's containers positioned in Peshawar.
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The PTI convoy from Dera Ismail Khan has departed for Lahore. The convoy will reach Peshawar and proceed to Lahore under the leadership of CM Gandapur. In Attock, containers have been erected at the junction between Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab. The GT Road at Hasan Abdal has been partially blocked by containers, with police awaiting further orders to close roads leading to Lahore entirely.
Annulment of detention
In a related development, a writ petition has been filed in the Lahore High Court to annul the detention orders issued against PTI leaders and workers across Punjab ahead of the party's rally.
The application, filed by former MPA Zainab Umair, argues that the detention orders for PTI workers and leaders are illegal and unconstitutional. The petition requests the court to declare the detention orders null and void and to release all detained individuals immediately.
As the PTI rally in Lahore approaches, the situation remains tense, with legal challenges and logistical issues threatening to overshadow the party's plans.
