Pakistan: Imran Khan's party seeks permission for rallies, gatherings in run up to polls

The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) filed four petitions with the Islamabad High Court (IHC), seeking a level playing field, permission to hold public rallies and political gatherings, and the facilitation of ongoing meetings between party leaders and imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan in the run-up to the February 8 general elections, according to Dawn.

PTI had been denied permission to host workers' conventions, public meetings, or demonstrations in Islamabad, as per the petition.

"The PTI is being denied a level playing field in different parts of the country to hold conventions, public meetings, rallies and other political activities, which are essentially a requirement for the fulfilment of the political rights guaranteed under different articles of the Constitution," one of the petitions said, according to Dawn.

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The four petitions were, notably filed by PTI on Wednesday.

In a separate lawsuit, Imran Khan has asked the court to intervene in order to allow him to meet with party members Asad Qaiser and Junaid Akbar Khan, senators Aurangzeb Khan and Dost Mohammad Khan, and Ishtiaq Meherban, among others, to strategise ahead of the elections.

The petition seeks that the court direct the superintendent of Adiala Jail to preserve Khan's privacy during talks with his legal team.

Meanwhile, the Special Court (Official Secrets Act) gave Khan permission to open two bank accounts using biometric verification, reported Dawn.

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