The interim Punjab government imposed Section 144 in Lahore with immediate effect as Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) prepares to hold a public rally today (Sunday) in connection with the upcoming General Elections in the province.
While Addressing a press conference, Information Minister Amir Mir said that the government has imposed Section 144 in Lahore with immediate effect, citing terror threats and the beginning of Pakistan Super League (PSL) matches in the provincial capital.
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“Imran Khan announced to hold the rally on the day when PSL matches to start in Lahore and a marathon will also be held,” he said, adding that a ban has been imposed on carrying out public rallies in Lahore tomorrow.
“The Election campaign in the province will start from 6th April,” Amir Mir said, urging PTI Chairman Imran Khan to cooperate with the Punjab government.
He also warned the former premier against violating the law, saying that strict action will be taken if the “writ of the state is challenged”.
Earlier former Prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan on Saturday announced that he would lead a public rally in order to connect with the killing of a Party worker and to kick start the campaign for the General Elections.
“I will lead the election rally tomorrow at 02:00 pm to show them [the government] that we are not domesticated animals,” Imran Khan said, directing the party workers and supporters to prepare for the ‘election campaign’.
The PTI chief warned that the Pdm government will do anything to ‘run away’ from the elections, claiming that another assassination attempt will be made on him or an explosion.
“They [the Pdm rulers] want to kill me as they are afraid of the sea of people,” he said, vowing to fight ‘till the last drop of blood’.
Remember that as Imran Khan announces to lead an election campaign from Lahore this would be the first rally that he personally lead after getting injured in an assassination attempt.
Punjab Elections
The election commission announced 30th April as the date of the election of the Punjab provincial Assembly. The move comes out after the Supreme Court in its Suo Muto verdict ordered the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to hold elections in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa within 90 days.
According to the election schedule, candidates could submit their nomination papers from the 12th to the 14th of March, while scrutiny of the papers will be held on 22 March.
The candidates could withdraw their nomination papers up to the 5th of April and election symbols to candidates will be allotted on the 6th of April, the ECP announced.
