Stage set for PTI's show of power in Lahore despite govt disapproval

LAHORE: The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) was almost set to put up its power show at Mall Road in Lahore on Sunday afternoon despite the government's disapproval and warnings of security risks.

Around 2:00PM in the afternoon, a large stage had been prepared near the Punjab Assembly and seats laid out for participants, some of whom had already arrived at the venue in spite of scorching temperatures of 43 degrees Celsius.

Due to the extreme weather, the PTI had given special instructions to workers and supporters, asking them not to bring children to the rally.

The weather was expected to cool down later in the evening.

Party sources said PTI chairman Imran Khan would address the public gathering around 8:30 PM.

A noticeable change today from previous PTI rallies would be the inclusion of DJ Wali Sons, replacing DJ Butt, playing the party's catchy songs to charge up participants.

Despite the government's disapproval, PTI leader Aleem Khan told reporters earlier today that the party would hold the rally at Mall road at any cost.

The PTI leadership along with police officials had visited the Chairing Cross area on Saturday to inspect it for the rally. But, DIG Operations Dr Haider Ashraf refused to give security clearance to the party leadership.

"We have warned the PTI of possible security risks at the area. If they still hold the rally the police force will have no choice but to guard the event," he said.

Speaking to reporters earlier today, DIG Ashraf said that the PTI was adamant on taking out the rally despite the security risks of which the party leadership has already been informed.

DIG Ashraf said that police would give full security to PTi on their insistence, and that a woman superintendent had also been posted for security duty at the rally.

On Friday, PTI officials rejected Lahore district administration’s proposition to change the venue of the rally on May 1, saying that party chairman Imran Khan has already announced the schedule of the public gathering.

The officials from Lahore’s district administration met with a PTI delegation on Friday, proposing that the venue for the PTI rally should be changed owing to security reasons. The officials suggested Nasir Bagh, Samanabad Doongi ground, and Gaddafi Stadium as three other possible venues.

The administration clarified that the Lahore High Court has banned rallies and gatherings on Lahore’s Mall road.

Imran Khan, at PTI’s 20th Foundation Day rally at F-9 Park, had announced the launch of an anti-corruption campaign from Sindh in the wake of Panama Papers Leaks and a public rally on May 1 in the heart of Lahore.