LAHORE: Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) on Thursday approached the Lahore High Court seeking permission to hold a public rally at Minar-i-Pakistan on Aug 5.

PTI MPA Imtiaz Mehmood Sheikh filed a petition stating that an application was submitted to the deputy commissioner of Lahore requesting a no-objection certificate (NOC) for the rally.

However, he said, the NOC had not been issued yet.

The petitioner contended that holding a public gathering is a constitutional right, therefore, the court should order the authorities to issue the NOC for the rally or provide an alternative venue for the gathering.

Separately, PTI-Punjab Vice President Akmal Khan Bari also approached the LHC seeking protection against alleged police harassment of the party leaders and workers following the announcement of a protest on Aug 5.

Bari stated that after the call for a peaceful protest by the party’s founding chairman, the police started harassing him and other party workers.

The petitioner argued that the right to peaceful protest is guaranteed to every citizen and political party under the constitution.

He asked the court to restrain the law enforcement agencies from harassing PTI leaders and workers in connection with the planned protest.

Published in Dawn, Aug 1st, 2025