Islamabad, March 22: Pakistan’s ruling Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf party has announced that it has decided to shift the venue of its proposed power show, scheduled for March 27, from D-Chowk to Parade Ground in the capital Islamabad after local authorities expressed concerns over the security of sensitive state installations in the area, Dawn reported on Tuesday. Meanwhile, the joint opposition, which had also announced its own plans of holding its rally at D-Chowk on the very same day as the government, said it would announce its decision about the location of the protest after some brainstorming and in-house consultation.
The PTI Central Secretariat Chief Administrator Zahid Hussain Kazmi in a letter submitted to Islamabad Deputy Commissioner Hamza Shafqaat informed him about the change of venue and sought security and other facilities. After receiving the letter, the DC sought comments from the police over the matter. Sources told Dawn that the venue was apparently changed after the administration and police expressed concern over the security of sensitive installations in the area, including the Diplomatic Enclave comprising embassies and foreign missions, keeping in view the prevailing political tensions. The administration in the capital Islamabad has already banned gatherings of five or more people in the high security Red Zone for two months.
Earlier, fearing large scale trouble when both the government and opposition had announced their respective public meetings the same day at the same venue, the Islamabad police had requested the capital administration to offer different locations to both the sides. After that Parade Ground was offered to the ruling party and Sector H-9 to the opposition to hold their respective rallies. Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry said the opposition was yet to submit any application to the capital administration to hold their public meeting, and the authorities would consider granting permission only after a formal request was made. He, however, suggested that the opposition hold its rally at F-9 Park, which is around 12 kilometres from the Parade Ground, where the PTI would hold its power show in order to avoid any kind of trouble or violence. UNI
