Sewage water, goats used to disrupt rally

ISLAMABAD: Leaders of a Pashtun movement vowed to keep up with their struggle after Pakistani authorities cancelled permission for their rally in Lahore on Sunday and used sewage water and entrails of goats to disrupt it.

The Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement (PTM) is fighting for restoration of human rights in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as well as account- ability for the Pakistan Army's actions in the tribal areas.

The provincial Punjab administration refused to grant permission for the rally at Lahore’s Mochi Gate. To make sure no rally was held, workers of the sanitation department flooded the ground with sewage water. Entrails of goats and other animals were also thrown about at the ground by government workers to create a pungent smell, independent observers said.

The PTM’S request for holding the rally was rejected due to “prevailing security circumstances”, an official said.

Various civil rights groups, including Lahore Left Front, Joint Action Committee and Women Action Forum, announced support for the event.

“We have informed the police that come what may, we will hold the rally at Mochi Gate," a member of Left Front told local media.

He said the PTM had twice requested Lahore administration for permission but they denied. “We have told them that we won’t accept their undemocratic ban, which is a violation of right of association.”

Activists were particularly upset that Mumbai terror attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed of the Jamaat ud Dawa and Khadim Hussain Rizvi of extremist group Tehreek-e-labbaik were allowed to hold rallies in Lahore without any hindrance.