PTI organises power show in Islamabad's outskirts after getting NOC.

ISLAMABAD -- After the district administration allowed the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) to hold a gathering in the federal capital, workers of the former ruling party thronged Rawat to listen to the address of party chief Imran Khan via video link.

PTI workers from different union councils reached Koral Chowk and later a rally, led by PTI leaders Ali Nawaz Awan and Raja Khurram, reached Rawat to join the long march which has been on the road for over two weeks.

Meanwhile, strict security measures were in place by the Islamabad police which claimed that there are 'security concerns and threat to peace' if the protests entered the Red Zone.

NOC for power show

Earlier in the day, the PTI was provided a no-objection certificate by the district administration of the federal capital. According to the administration, the permission would be valid for the route from Koral Chowk to Chak Beli Mor Rawat via Express Highway and only for one day.

In response to the application filed by the PTI leader Ali Nawaz Awan, the administration approved the request with 35 conditions. The deputy commissioner (DC) informed the PTI leader that the rally was not allowed to alter the route and any deviation from the route will automatically cancel the NOC.

Section 144 would continue to be enforced in other areas and rallies will not be allowed to block any road or participants would not be allowed to cause damage to public or private property.

They were also informed that they could not carry weapons/batons and the right of movement of citizens should not suffer.

The permission was granted on the condition that no one will chant slogans against the state, religion and ideology of Pakistan. The party was also made bound that it will conduct the security check of participants and in case of any violation Ali Nawaz Awan, who had submitted the request for the NOC, will face legal proceedings.

Mr Awan, while talking to Dawn, said it was an impressive show as a large number of workers from the city reached Koral Chowk and reached Rawat.

It is worth mentioning that PTI Islamabad was facing criticism that the party had not held a single protest in the federal capital since the assassination attempt on party chairman Imran Khan on Nov 3 despite having three lawmakers and the party secretary general from Islamabad.

The party's protests were confined to Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa where it has been in power and had no fear of arrests by the police.

However, Mr Awan claimed...