Now the party will face an apparent meeting with the Punjab government in Lahore because PTI is staging a protest at Minar-i-Pakistan to raise issues such as inflation, the judiciary’s independence, and the freeing of its founder Imran Khan.
PTI officials have portrayed it as a ‘do or die’ situation for them in this regard, as they are crucially laying their agenda. The Punjab government had said that they shall not allow anyone to violate Section 144, which prohibits gathering and rallies at any place. They said they were ready to challenge it.
Preparatory to this showdown,
The Punjab government has successfully tackled PTI rallies elsewhere, like Rawalpindi and Mianwali. It is now seeking to use the state machinery and other legal instruments to stymie the Lahore protest.
The PTI leadership has advised its members in Lahore not to join the other protest in Islamabad while preserving their energies for the main event in Lahore. Hammad Azhar, PTI Punjab acting president who is now in hiding, hopes that residents of Lahore would reject fascist tactics, which he says the government is using.
Security Arrangements in Place
The Punjab government has imposed Section 144 in several districts, including Lahore, Mianwali, Rawalpindi, Sargodha, and Attock to ensure peacefulness. This ban on political gatherings will be operational in Lahore till 8th October while in Mianwali till 7th October. In Rawalpindi, Sargodha, and Attock, the same will remain effective till 6th October. A weekend ban on pillion riding was also put into place in Rawalpindi and Attock.
Nine companies of paramilitary Rangers have been sent to Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Attock for duties. Since the crackdown has begun, around 600 PTI activists have been arrested during raids across the region.
All the police stations in Lahore have been put on high alert,
And they are asked to patrol the neighborhoods and detain anyone who violates the gathering ban. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz held extensive meetings with senior officials to ensure a robust response to the potential protests.
A Central Control Room has been set up at the home department to monitor activities of PTI members, so that authorities are alert throughout the day. Containers are not expected to be positioned at entry and exit points in Lahore but will be installed at checkpoints. Rangers would be deployed to block protestors, reports say.
There are clear indications from the officials as to how grave the situation is and that the police is authorized to arrest those found taking part in protests or marching in groups.
PTI leader Shayan Bashir
Has said the party’s central Punjab organizations are activated and keeping their plans up their sleeves to surprise the government. When Imran Khan called for the protest and said it is time for bold action, Bashir confirmed plans to celebrate Khan’s birthday today at Minar-i-Pakistan, where a resolution for “Haqeeqi Azadi” is expected to be passed.
PTI Lahore General Secretary Awais Younas has met party leaders to organize a show of strength, saying, “Lahore will show that it belongs to the captain.”
As events unfold, both PTI and the government of Punjab seems well set in their stance, waiting for today when Lahore city could witness a face-off of great proportions.
