PTI relocates Sialkot rally venue; moves to VIP cricket ground  

Sialkot: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Shafqat Mahmood Saturday announced that the party would now hold its Sialkot rally at VIP Cricket Ground instead of CTI ground— that belonged to the Christian community— after police crackdown on party activists and arrest of Usman Dar.   

While addressing a press conference, Shafqat Mahmood demanded authorities to immediately release Usman Dar and other PTI workers and reiterated that rally will be held in the city no matter what.

Turning to twitter, in a series of tweets, PTI chairman Imran Khan stated: “I will be going to Sialkot today, let there be no doubt”.

He further added that “what imported govt” did in Sialkot against their leadership and workers is outrageous, but not unexpected. 

“This bunch of criminals out on bail and their convict mafia boss in London have always used fascist tactics against opponents when they are in power," he added.

I will be going to Sialkot today, let there be no doubt. What Imported Govt did in Sialkot against our ldrship & workers is outrageous, but not unexpected. This bunch of criminals out on bail & their convict mafia boss in London have always used fascist tactics against opponents

— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) May 14, 2022

Earlier today, authorities stopped PTI members from erecting structures in preparation for the rally after police fired tear gas and baton-charged party activists who were resisting the move. 

Police also started removing goods from the hall with the help of a crane.

A large contingent of police was present in the hall while several workers including Usman Dar, Ali Asjad Malhi and former DG Anti-Corruption Aslam Ghman from the venue were taken into custody. 

The district administration, yesterday, refused to grant PTI permission to hold a public rally at the CTI Ground in Sialkot. However, the PTI was still preparing for the meeting.

The administration raised an objection that the PTI organizers did not seek permission from the owners of the CTI Ground to hold their public gathering at the Sialkot site. 

“Holding a public assembly on a private property without owners’ consent cannot be approved,” said official, adding that they are ready to give them an alternative venue for the meeting. 

In a video statement, Usman Dar stated: “Putting us in jail will not lessen the love of the Kaptaan (Imran Khan),” adding that peaceful meeting is our right, Imran Khan will definitely come to Sialkot today.

In the meantime, District Police Officer (DPO) Sialkot revealed that the ground belongs to Christian community—which repudiated any political party to hold a public meeting at their place.  

The DPO further added that the Christian community had filed a petition in the High Court, which then, ordered to halt the meeting on the ground. 

Deputy Commissioner Sialkot Imran Qureshi also confirmed that the rally was stopped by the district administration as the owners’ had requested that religious ceremonies be held at the ground.