ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) postponed its public meeting, scheduled to be held in the federal capital area of Tarnol at 6pm, saying the Islamabad administration had ‘unconstitutionally’ revoked the No-Objection Certificate (NOC) at the eleventh hour.

PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan announced this during a news conference. He was flanked by Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Omar Ayub Khan, other senior leaders including AsadQaiser, Ali Muhammad Khan, PTI Information Secretary RaoofHasan and others.

Gohar said that PTI’s Political Committee had decided to postpone the public meeting, which was intended to be held for restoration of the constitutional supremacy and rule of law. He pointed out they had received a green signal for the ‘power show’ after having requested for the NOC for the last four months, but the Islamabad commissioner cancelled the NOC.

He claimed the administration committed contempt of court by doing so, as neither the commissioner nor DC could cancel NOC, therefore, the party had approached the IHC against the NOC’s suspension.

The PTI chairman hoped that the court would hear their plea on Monday since the chief justice was not available due to the weekend. Gohar announced that they would now hold the public gathering after Ashura with legal permission because they always adhered to the law and Constitution. “We are hopeful to secure the necessary legal permission and go ahead with the rally, as politics without PTI founder is incomplete. The party’s workers are quite passionate and hopeful for the historic power show,” he claimed.

About the government’s All Parties Conference (APC), the PTI chairman said that they have not received any invitation for the APC and will deliberate on its agenda after receiving the invitation. He claimed that several PTI workers had been picked up in recent days and announced to take the matter before the court. “This government will only last a few more days. Our struggle for democracy will continue come what may,” Gohar vowed.

The opposition leader in the National Assembly made it clear that whenever Imran Khan announced a hunger strike, they would all support him, adding that despite the court orders, rally equipment was removed late at night.