Quetta administration denies PTI permission for rally despite 'court order'

• DC warns those who violated orders will face the music.
• Saad says exams of public service commission being held.
• Gohar, KP CM, Ayub, to another address rally in Swabi.

QUETTA/SWABI: The local administration of Quetta on Friday denied the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) permission to hold a public rally in the district, despite the "court order", owing to concerns related to the law and order situation.

The PTI has announced to hold a protest at the Hockey Ground, Quetta, on Saturday.

Requesting the PTI to postpone the rally, Quetta Deputy Commissioner Saad bin Asad said there were security concerns in the metropolis this month.

Saad said examinations of public service commission were being held at the Ayub National Stadium. Whereas, he said, various games were being played in the Hockey Ground.

The DC warned those who violated the orders would face the music.

A PTI’s provincial spokesperson said the court had obliged the local administration to provide a place for the rally. However, he said, the DC was employing delaying tactics in giving permission despite the court directive.

On the other hand, the PTI is prepping to hold a public gathering in Service Area, near Swabi Interchange. The rally was announced by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur last Saturday.

Announcing a modification in the PTI’s power show scheduled for November 8 in Peshawar, Gandapur said on November 2 that the public meeting would be held on November 9 at Swabi Interchange before announcing a "final call" to get rid of the incumbent government.

Gandapur had made the announcement while addressing a press conference outside Rawalpindi's Adiala Jail after meeting PTI founder Imran Khan, saying that they were done being peaceful which resulted in torture and arrest of the PTI workers despite not responding to the harsh actions of the authorities.

District President Suhail Yousufzai said 10-15,000 chairs were being placed for the party supporters.

He said PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Khan, the KP chief minister, National Assembly Opposition Leader Omar Ayub, Asad Qaiser and other leaders would address the gathering.

“The chief minister will announce the next course of action in the rally,” he said.