Lahore Additional Deputy Commissioner Atiyab Sultan on Wednesday wrote to PTI leaders recommending that former prime minister Imran Khan address the party’s Lahore rally, scheduled for Thursday, virtually in light of “severe threat alerts”.
Days after the ouster of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government, the former ruling party kicked off a nationwide protest campaign from Peshawar on April 13, followed by a rally in Karachi on April 16. Both rallies saw a large number of people come out in support of Khan, who addressed the gatherings in person. His next rally is due to be held today at the Minar-i-Pakistan in Lahore.
In a notification issued by the Deputy Commissioner’s Office, Sultan wrote: “In light of severe threat alerts received from security agencies and as per latest intelligence assessment made at the district and provincial levels, it is recommended that ex-prime minister Imran Khan should address the public gathering virtually by video conference and LED display instead of making a physical appearance at Greater Iqbal Park, Lahore on 21-04-2022.”
The letter, which is addressed to PTI Punjab President Shafqat Mahmood, PTI Lahore President Sheikh Imtiaz Mahmood, PTI Punjab General Secretary Zubair Niazi and the organiser of the rally, Ali Warraich, requested them to take timely action to “avoid any untoward incident”.
Responding to the letter, PTI Information Additional Secretary Hassan Khawar told local media that the party would not be discouraged through such tactics by the government.
“The government should not be worried by the PTI’s campaign,” Khawar said. He said the PTI chairman would participate in the Lahore rally and the party would continue its campaign to connect with the people.
