ISLAMABAD: Chief Electiaon Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja convened meeting of Election Commission of Pakistan today to discuss Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf petition against imposition of Section 144 which prohibits any rallies and public gatherings in Lahore. Taking to Twitter, electoral watchdog said meeting will review PTI petition in this regard.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf challenged imposition of Section 144 in Lahore by caretaker Punjab government ahead of its scheduled rally. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan deferred public rally in connection with election campaign.

Plea was moved by Dr Babar Awan with ECP on directions of Imran Khan. PTI in its plea has urged ECP to use its power and strike down imposition of Section 144 in Lahore by terming it ‘illegal’.

Caretaker Punjab government is trying to stop PTI from election rally on ‘pretext’ of PSL matches, plea said. Routes of PTI rally and PSL match are different, Babar Awan said in plea and added match will start at 7pm while rally will end at 5:30pm.

It may be noted that caretaker Punjab government imposed Section 144 in Lahore with immediate effect, while sources claimed that Punjab Rangers have also been summoned to maintain law and order.

Published in The Daily National Courier, March, 13 2023

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