LAHORE – Punjab Information Minister Azma Bukhari said that they are fully prepared and will not allow anyone to create unrest.
Punjab information minister said that the PTI members did not formally request the administration; instead, they directly approached the Lahore High Court. She said that the PTI referred to the livestock market on the ring road as a vegetable market, giving an impression that they were granted permission to hold a rally there.
The minister while addressing a press conference at DGPR on Saturday also criticized their actions, claiming they had blocked the ring road with containers and started propaganda that the path was obstructed.
She added that they would now have to bring their own supporters for the rally, and that preparations were ongoing in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa under Ali Amin Gandapur’s leadership.
Azma Bokhari pointed out that disturbances and violence occurred last night, establishing a track record for PTI in terms of hooliganism and arson.
Azma Bukhari emphasized that the city is being revitalized under Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s leadership and criticized PTI for only spreading disorder. She accused the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister of bringing stick-wielding supporters and armed individuals, and mentioned that local emergency services and cranes were mobilized from there, implying that they were using government resources for political rallies.
She also criticized PTI leaders, noting that Shair Afzal Marwat is ill with COVID, and Umar Ayub is unwell as well, urging them to come and explain what they have done for the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in the past 11 years.
Bokhari reminded that a meeting took place between the administration and a PTI delegation yesterday, where it was promised that Ali Amin Gandapur would apologize for his statements. She insisted that even if he does not issue a written apology, he should do so during the rally.
Furthermore, she stated that they would not tolerate any incitement to violence, urging PTI not to encourage their children to engage in violence. She expressed a wish that the sons of the PTI founder had also attended the event, adding that they are aware of PTI’s plans to create chaos.
The Punjab Information Minister insisted that workers deserve respect and are not to be treated like disposable items. She emphasized that anyone wanted in connection with the events of May 9 would be monitored through safe city and AI technology.
Azma Bokhari also mentioned that law enforcement has access to many audio calls and declared that the PTI founder is a terrorist from years ago, labeling PTI not as a political party but as a group of terrorists and troublemakers. She expressed confidence that Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, being the daughter of Nawaz Sharif, prioritizes the welfare of others.
She accused the PTI of misleading people with promises of amnesty and pointed out that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is already in debt and lacking in health and education facilities. She claimed that Ali Amin Gandapur cannot visit his constituency without paying off the Taliban and mentioned a previous promise to secure a leader’s release from Adiala Jail, asserting that the Punjab police would remain the most effective force, regardless of how many sticks PTI brings.