Despite tall claims of fully implementing National Action Plan (NAP), Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) on Friday allowed Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat (ASWJ), to hold annual conference in capital despite imposition of section 144, while crackdown on workers of PTI continued for second consecutive day. Hafiz Uneeb Farooqui, spokesman ASWJ, said that the programme is a traditional conference similar to traditional gatherings and processions related to Muharram - therefore this restriction of section 144 does not apply.
The party held its annual event to honour the fallen party leaders and workers along with the stability of the country. An official of ICT administration who wished not to be named said that the party was asked to revalidate its permission issued by Deputy Commissioner Islamabad office, Thursday night and eventually the no objection certificate (NOC) was granted.
"Usually there is no trouble with traditional events but the Administration has certain SOPs and we ask the organisers to ensure that their event will not add fuel to the fire or that they will not use the platform against the government," he said. As hinted by the government officer the speech made the leader of ASWJ Ahmed Ludianvi reflected the pro-government stance, as he criticised both Imran Khan and Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed for creating disturbance on the streets.
Due to the recent political developments in the city the leaders of Defence of Pakistan Council (DPC) also decided not to participate in the gathering. "We did not want to complicate the political issues and there were chances of any negative impression about the event - so it was decided that the leaders of parties in DPC led by Maulana Samiul Haq leaders may not come this year," Ludhianvi told the gathering, held in an enclosed environment at Hockey Ground Aabpara.
He also said that despite a huge list of party comrades who have fallen prey to bullets and bomb attacks they did not take to the streets in protest, and criticised the situation in the twin cities. "I want to ask both Imran Khan and Sheikh Rasheed that both of them are members of parliament which is the highest forum in the country but still they're taking to the streets," Ludhianvi added.
However, he added that he wanted to see the end of corruption in the country and favoured accountability of all corrupt elements. The ASWJ leaders also stated his own example claiming that the elections he contested were rigged and he has been able to get relief from the Supreme Court, and the apex court has declared the results of PP78 Jhang null and void.
"The by-elections for PP-78 are scheduled to be held on December 1 and I have filed my documents - you will see that I will win in that election," he announced. Meanwhile, there were strong rumours that the leader of Jamaat ud Dawa Hafiz Saeed would be attending the ASWJ gathering, but a senior party office bearer told Business Recorder that it had been decided that the JUD would represent in the gathering as other components of DPC were attending.
"However even if the situation would have been normal in the twin cities Hafiz Saeed was not scheduled to attend the meeting due to pro-sectarian nature of the gathering," the office bearers said, "We have stressed over this point in DPC and other forum too that sectarianism needed to be curbed." The gathering terminated at its stipulated time of 5 pm.
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