PPP workers’ convention in Lahore faces hurdle after authorities halt preparations

LAHORE: Preparations for the Pakistan Peoples Party’s (PPP) workers’ convention at Greater Iqbal Park were halted on Friday after the Lahore district administration said the party had not secured formal written permission to hold the event.

The party had already set up a stage and made extensive arrangements for the convention, which is scheduled for July 25. The gathering was also expected to be followed by celebrations marking President Asif Ali Zardari’s birthday on July 26.

District authorities questioned the use of the public venue without official approval and asked the PPP leadership to explain why preparations had begun before the necessary permission was obtained.

Lahore PPP President Faisal Mir insisted the party had moved forward after receiving verbal assurances that there was no objection to the event from the Punjab Chief Minister’s Office. According to him, the preparations were launched in good faith based on those assurances, but officials later intervened and stopped the work.

Mir criticized the administration’s actions, claiming access to the venue had been restricted and vehicles carrying chairs and other equipment had been prevented from reaching the site. He maintained that the party remained committed to holding the convention peacefully and said he was prepared to face arrest if necessary.

The Chief Minister’s Office did not comment on claims that approval had been communicated through the chief minister’s principal secretary.

PPP leaders also shared videos on social media showing workers at the venue, along with the stage and seating arrangements prepared for the convention, reaffirming the party’s determination to proceed with the event.

Party sources acknowledged that written permission had not been obtained but argued that verbal approval was sufficient to begin preparations. They added that local police had been informed in advance about the gathering.

The convention was expected to feature a large stage, with PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari scheduled to address workers via video link. Senior party leaders, including Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, Hassan Murtaza, and Qamar Zaman Kaira, were also expected to attend.

Officials indicated that permission could still be granted if the required formalities were completed. However, they noted that approving the PPP event without following standard procedures could complicate decisions on similar requests from other political parties, including the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), which has sought permission for a public gathering in Lahore next month.