The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) announced plans to hold the public gathering in Lahore on October 15 (Sunday).

Sources privy to the development said on Thursday that the PTI had sought permission from the deputy commissioner to hold the rally at Liberty Chowk.

PTI Central Punjab additional general secretary Advocate Sardar Azeemullah Khan asserted, ‘’It has been said in the application to the DC that the PTI has decided to start the election campaign. The PTI wants to hold the gathering at the Liberty Chowk in line with all the legal requirements.''

Two weeks back, the PML-N had directed its workers from across the country to converge on Minar-e-Pakistan on October 21, while party supremo Nawaz Sharif had instructed the senior leadership to reach the airport to receive him as he returns from London after a hiatus of four years.

It had been learnt that in the case of Nawaz Sharif’s potential arrest from the airport, the Minar-e-Pakistan reception rally will convert into a protest.

However, in case the former premier gets a protective bail, he will address the Minar-e-Pakistan reception rally personally.

PML-N leaders and activists from all over the country will gather at Minar-e-Pakistan, while Nawaz will reach the venue from the airport on a helicopter.

After addressing the rally at Minar-e-Pakistan, Nawaz Sharif will pay a visit to Data Darbar.

– Usman Dir bid farewell to PTI –

In another blow to the PTI chief, his close aide and former special assistant Usman Dar on Wednesday announced to quit the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and politics.

In an interview to a private TV channel, Usman Dar said, “Imran Khan presided over a meeting where the planning and implementation of the events of May 9 took place, and he endorsed an anti-state narrative.”

Dar directly blamed Imran Khan for the current situation the PTI was in.

He further said, “The purpose of May 9 events was to pressurise the army chief to resign," adding that Imran Khan could have been receiving instructions from someone within the armed forces.