ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is gearing up for nationwide protests today, denouncing what it claims as widespread rigging during the February 8 general elections.
According to PTI, the party led by Imran Khan is protesting what it describes as “unprecedented, massive, brazen rigging” that significantly reduced its victory from 180 National Assembly seats and a two-thirds majority in Parliament to half the count.
Protests are scheduled to commence at 2 PM in various locations across the country. However, PTI’s plans to stage demonstrations in front of the Islamabad Press Club hit a roadblock as the Islamabad administration denied them permission.
Nation must come out for peaceful protests against rigging on
Saturday 17th Feb at 2:00 PM.
Central Punjab Locations below:#MandateThieves pic.twitter.com/ybFG3Y0VIY— PTI (@PTIofficial) February 16, 2024
Citing Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) in force in the city, the administration rejected PTI’s application, stating that political gatherings cannot be permitted under the current circumstances.
اسلام آباد میں دفعہ 144 نافذ العمل ہے ۔
اسلام آباد میں کسی بھی غیر قانونی اجتماع کی اجازت نہیں ہے۔ پرامن احتجاج سب کا بنیادی حق ہے مگر کسی بھی غیر قانونی عمل کی اجازت نہیں دی جائے گی ۔
پر تشدد رویہ اختیار کرنے یا اکسانے والوں کے خلاف قانونی کارروائی عمل میں لائی جائے گی ۔
کسی…
— Islamabad Police (@ICT_Police) February 16, 2024
Additionally, the administration has urged citizens to refrain from participating in any political gatherings and warned of police action against those joining the protest.
Meanwhile, the Election Commission of Pakistan has rebuffed PTI’s accusations, asserting the availability of legal channels to address any grievances related to the election process.
