ISLAMABAD, 28 August — The government said yesterday it would lift a ban on public political meetings from Sunday in the run-up to Oct. 10 Parliamentary elections but would not allow unrestricted marches or rallies.
A government announcement carried on state radio and television said public political meetings and processions would be permitted in specified areas. But it added: "Rallies and processions on roads, streets and railways stations will not be permitted."
The announcement came on the eve of a planned series of rallies by groups opposed to Islamabad’s support of the US-led war on terror to launch their election campaign.
A statement by Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal, an alliance of six Islamic parties, said its leaders would travel by train from Peshawar to Lahore today and deliver speeches at eight stops en route.
State television said the federal government had instructed provincial administrations to ensure political meetings were held "at specified areas and places".
Meanwhile, Chief Election Commissioner Chief Justice (Retd.) Irshad Hasan Khan said yesterday a Grievance Cell has been established at the Election Commission’s headquarters.
"This cell has been established for dealing with public grievances and complaints relating to the Election Commission, and anybody aggrieved of any action, steps, order or conduct of the EC or its officials can lodge the complaint with the cell and it will be adequately addressed," said Irshad Khan.
A day after assuming charge as Chief Election Commissioner, Irshad Khan took disciplinary action against three EC officials and suspended them. He also appointed 109 district returning officers, 678 returning officers and 945 assistant returning officers for the polls.
He also issued a directive whereby bulk transfers of the civil servants were banned with immediate effect till completion of the forthcoming general elections.
