PTI calls off Islamabad rally, files contempt plea against administration

• ICT administration had allowed PTI to hold rally after IHC order.
• Chief commissioner suspended NOC citing security concerns.
• Gohar Khan challenges official's authority to suspend notification.

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Saturday called off its Islamabad rally and moved the Islamabad High Court (IHC) seeking contempt of court proceedings against those responsible for the suspension of the no objection certificate (NOC) in this regard.

The former ruling party had announced to hold a rally on Saturday in the Tarnol area in the outskirts of the federal capital and had filed a petition in the IHC seeking permission for its rally.

In response, IHC's Babar Sattar on June 26 directed the party and the city's administration to amicably sort out the issue after which the deputy commissioner allowed the PTI to hold its rally.

However, Islamabad Chief Commissioner Muhammad Ali Randhawa later suspended the NOC citing the beginning of the month of Muharram and security concerns along with complaints lodged by the local people. 

The chief commissioner, in a letter dated July 5, said that the police on Wednesday confirmed recovering a heavy cache of weapons and ammunition.

Stressing that an intelligence-based operation (IBO) was still underway in Tarnol, the official highlighted insufficient manpower to secure a local Imam Bargah and the rally at the same time, particularly in Muharram.

The intelligence agencies, he added, had shared information about the presence of security threats in the area during this month.

Apart from the security threat, he said residents of Tarnol also conveyed their concerns over permission for the public gathering in the area.

Hence, Randhawa said he deemed it "expedient in the public interest to suspend the NOC till Chehlum".

In its petition filed in the IHC, the party said the Islamabad DC apprised the court on July 4 that the NOC had been issued.

Nevertheless, the plea added, the PTI leaders got to know about the NOC’s suspension through the Islamabad Police’s post via its official handle on social media platform X. 

It further argued that suspension of the NOC for the public gathering despite the court order amounted to contempt of the court. Hence, it said, the court should take action against violators of its order and issue an order for holding the rally.

Meanwhile, the chief commissioner, DC, inspector general, Tarnol police station's station house officer (SHO) and others have been made parties in the case.

Talking to media in the IHC premises, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Khan announced calling off the rally and said: "Commissioner does not have the authority to suspend the notification issued on the high court order."

The politician further maintained that a hearing on their contempt plea could not be held due to the judge’s absence. 

He also announced to share the next course of action after their political committee's meeting.