Daily Times

RAWALPINDI: Containers have been placed on roads leading to Lal Haveli, the residence of Awami Muslim League (AML) chief Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed while the PAT chief Tahir-ul-Qadri termed the recent government measures of police crackdown as violations of human rights.

The PAT chief said that, “There is a pseudo democracy in the country. And, rulers have lost senses.”

Rawalpindi’s administration has placed these containers to stop people from reaching Lal Haveli, where the AML chief is expected to hold a rally later today (Friday).

Sheikh Rasheed was not present at the Lal Haveli at the time the containers were placed, and in the morning had a rich breakfast of lassi and paya.

Dr. Tahir-ul-Qadri posed a question, “Under which law will Lal Haveli—famed residence of Sheikh Rashid in Rawalpindi—be sealed?”

The AML chief has issued a challenge to the city’s administration, and laid his plan out. “We will tear section 144 into 144 pieces after Friday prayers in Raja Bazaar, Committee Chowk and Lal Haveli.”

Sheikh Rasheed further said that Chief Minister Punjab Shehbaz Sharif had issued orders to have him arrested before 2 PM, adding that he was ready to be arrested.  The AML chief told Geo News that he would offer his prayers and then address the rally at Lal Haveli.

The AML chief also called on Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan to reach Lal Haveli by helicopter of any other means. “Khan sb has the facility of a helicopter, he should fly and land directly in Lal Haveli, LiaquatBagh and Committee Chowk.”

Prior to the PTI’s planned November 2 protest in Islamabad, the government choked major roads and streets in twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi with shipping containers in order to forestall the PTI’s plan to launch protest against corruption.

Responding to a query, Dr. Qadri said he has not conversed with Imran Khan so far; however, the party leaders from the two parties will meet to hash out the modalities for participation in the Islamabad sit-in.