Observer Report
Peshawar
Peshawar’s deputy commissioner on Friday refused to grant permission for a public meeting planned by the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), citing the rising spread of the novel Coronavirus in the district.
The opposition alliance had sought permission to hold a public meeting on Peshawar’s Dalazak Road, Ring Road Chowk earlier this month.
A letter issued by the DC’s office noted that the coronavirus positivity rate in Peshawar district had exceeded 13 per cent, adding that a public gathering “is likely to further increase the spread of life-threatening virus”. The letter went on to say that in order to “safeguard human lives [from the] potential spread of Covid-19”, the public gathering cannot be allowed to take place.
It also cited a notification issued by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government on November 2, which said that “ceremonies and other gatherings shall be avoided” in order to curb the spread of the virus.
Responding to the Peshawar administration’s decision, PML-N Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chapter’s spokesperson Ikhtiar Wali said that the opposition alliance will go ahead with the public meeting. In a statement, Wali said that Prime Minister Imran Khan had held a public meeting in Swat last week and another gathering was held by KP chief minister two days before that. “Who did they ask for permission? And who granted them permission? So if there is no rule for the ruling party, then why is [there one] for us?” he said.
