The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has approached the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to challenge Section 144 imposed in Lahore.
While talking to journalists, PTI leader Babar Awan confirmed that a petition had been filed in the ECP against the imposition of Section 144 in the provincial capital.
Earlier, PTI Chairman Imran Khan had given instructions to Babar Awan to challenge the Punjab caretaker government’s move in the ECP.
The petition maintained that the electoral body should lift Section 144. Using Section 144 at a PTI rally in Lahore is against the law and goes against the ruling of the Supreme Court, the petition read.
According to the petition, the rally's route and the PSL match's route are different, and the Punjab government is attempting to stop the march by using the match as an excuse. The rally will end at 5:30 PM, while the PSL match will begin at 7:00 PM.
Section 144 had never been applied during a PSL in a city before, and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf has a constitutional right to campaign in elections, the petition stated.
On the other hand, PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry said that Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) is holding the party workers’ convention in the same city where Section 144 is imposed for the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).
"Is this a message that only the PML-N is allowed to execute political activities under the patronage of the state and the rest of the parties should leave the country?" he questioned.
On Saturday night, the Punjab caretaker government imposed Section 144 in Lahore once again to ‘halt the public rally’ of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), which was scheduled to be led by party chairman Imran Khan at 2pm on Sunday (today).
It is pertinent to mention here that this is the second time in a week that the Punjab caretaker government has imposed Section 144 in the provincial capital, a move that is being harshly criticized by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chairman, leaders, and workers.
The announcement of restrictions emerged after Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan said he would lead the public rally himself ahead of elections in the Punjab Assembly.
Meanwhile, PTI chief Imran Khan vowed to lead a scheduled rally despite the imposition of Section 144 in the provincial capital.