LAHORE: Despite a threat alert issued by the interim Punjab government, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is flexing its political muscles at Lahore’s Minar-e-Pakistan on Saturday night.
According to a warning issued by Punjab Counter Terrorism Department (CTD), Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) leader Mukarram Khurasani has planned a terrorist attack on Minar-e-Pakistan rally.
The terrorist group can target PTI’s gatherings, rallies, and the Minar-e-Pakistan public rally to create chaos in the country, it added.
The department stated that Khurasani devised the plan after consultation with terrorist Abdul Wali Khan, adding that the terrorists have planned attacks using “25 suicide bombers”.
It further said that Abdul Wali Khan has been involved in multiple bombings in Lahore in the past.
The authorities have been urged to increase security measures, as terrorists may also target important installations and officers in uniforms.
The former foreign minister said that despite the Lahore High Court’s order allowing a political gathering, the caretaker government had blocked all roads leading to the rally venue by placing containers and barricades to create hurdles for PTI workers, supporters, and the general public.
Earlier in the day, the local administration of Lahore placed containers to block the routes leading to Minar-e-Pakistan. Containers have also been placed in other areas of Lahore, including GT Road, Cup Store and Du Maurya Bridge.
The administration and police have taken the step to block PTI supporters from other towns and cities in Punjab from reaching the rally venue.
The PTI leadership has alleged that the police have detained the party’s leaders and workers, saying that raids on the houses of PTI workers and leaders have been ongoing for five consecutive days.
However, they said that despite the “tactics of the police and administration”, the rally will definitely take place today.
Police raided the residence of PTI leaders Hammad Khan Niazi and Bajash Khan Niazi in the Manawan area but could not arrest the two leaders as they were not present at home at the time of the raid.
Hammad vowed that the rally in Lahore today will be a historical one. “We will not be intimidated by such measures [raids by police]” and said that they would stand by Imran Khan till their last breath.
