Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has celebrated its 20-year anniversary on Sunday at F-9 Fatimah Jinnah Park under tight security.
A huge crowd of party workers including women children gathered to celebrate the "Foundation Day" of PTI. Islamabad administration estimated that around 25,000 participants attended the anniversary. However, independent observed believed that an estimated 50,000 persons were there. Over 20,000 chairs have been set at the venue that has the capacity to retain 80,000 people.
Pakistan Tahreek-e-Insaf claimed that more than 100,000 were gathered at 'Mehran Gate' to listen to their leader Imran Khan. PTI's senior leader Asad Umer claims that more than 100,000 people will be participating in the ceremony.
PTI and Pakistan Sarzameen Party made a telephonic contact and decided the timing of their leaders' speeches in respective rallies being held in Islamabad and Karachi.
In the morning, PTI leaders and party workers were seen busy in finalising preparations for the Foundation Day. Imran Khan himself arrived at the park, spent some time with the party's leadership and monitored the preparations. He was briefed on the arrangements by PTI leader and Member of National Assembly (MNA) Asad Umer.
A central stage was prepared for the occasion while thousands of chairs were set for PTI supporters and members. An 18-foot high and 80-foot wide stage was built for the speakers. Separate sitting arrangement has been made for women.
The place of the rally was decorated with PTI banners and flags. A separate enclosure was made for females, parliamentarians and the media. Posters of murdered Soran Singh-PTI worker from Swat were also hanged around. To avoid a stampede situation, a wall of the park was down to make wide entry and exit points.
PTI senior leaders Shah Mehmood Qureshi and Jahangir Tareen removed their differences and reached F-9 Park together. Both the leaders entered the rally waving hands.
Talking to media, PTI senior leader Shah Mehmood Qureshi said that PTI already rejected the government proposed commission, adding, that TORs of the commission were also not discussed and now party was looking forward to Chief Justice (CJ)'s reply.
With reference to Federal Defence Minister Khawaja Asif's statement, Qureshi said that minister's statement was very challenging but the workers would not be provoked.
PTI leader Jehangir Khan Tareen said that his party was engaged in dialogue with the government for their demands. If their demands were rejected then the party supporters would protests on roads.
Strict security arrangements were in place for the party's celebrations. The Islamabad administration had granted PTI permission for the rally on the condition that the event be wrapped up by 10:00 PM.
Eight thousand officers were designated for assuring security during the gathering. Section 144 was imposed. Holidays of the district's administration as well as police officers were suspended. An additional 1800 officers along with rangers was also be deputed for the security of Red Zone area.
A final traffic plan was designed to assure smooth flow of traffic with minimum disruptions.
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