LAHORE – PTI Chairman Imran Khan on Wednesday suspended his party’s rally in Punjab capital after police launched crackdown against the workers of the party following the imposition of Section 144 in Lahore.
The PTI had planned to hold rally from Zaman Park to Data Darbar to show solidarity with judiciary and it was expected to be attended by Imran Khan and other leaders.
Ahead of the rally, the provincial government imposed Section 144 in the provincial capital Lahore for seven days with immediate effect. Following the ban on rallies and gatherings, police officials started arresting participants of the PTI rally from the Mall Road and Canal road when situation turned violent.
Videos posted on social media show police officials firing tear gas shells and arresting the PTI workers from the Canal road, which was blocked by placing trucks around the Zaman park to block the rally.
پولیس کارکنوں پر شدیر ایکسپائر شیلنگ کر رہی ھے- #Fascist_PDM pic.twitter.com/BO1Vq6xoOK
— PTI (@PTIofficial) March 8, 2023
Shame on this imported regime. They have repeated 25th May scenes, the people of Pakistan will win against you again! #Fascist_PDM pic.twitter.com/N76gFvibgx
— PTI (@PTIofficial) March 8, 2023
Reacting to the violence, the PTI chief said the Supreme Court of Pakistan’s five member bench ordered elections in Punjab and KP in 90 days, “asking President to announce date which he does – 30 April”.
“With hardly 55 days left, PTI kicks off election rally in Lahore. Under what law, & in brazen contempt of SC, Punjab Caretaker govt uses massive police violence against unarmed workers to stop our planned rally?” read the tweet.
against unarmed workers to stop our planned rally? The only job of Caretakers is to ensure fair & free elections. What they are doing is an assault on rule of law, our Constitution & democracy. Above all, once SC ruling is defied, it is now law of the jungle.
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) March 8, 2023
The only job of caretakers is to ensure fair and free elections, he said, adding: “What they are doing is an assault on rule of law, our Constitution & democracy. Above all, once SC ruling is defied, it is now law of the jungle”.
