ISLAMABAD: Jailed former prime minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party on Wednesday sought permission to hold a political rally at the city’s Minar-e-Pakistan monument on Feb. 8, as it gears up for protests on the day to mark the anniversary of Pakistan’s controversial 2024 general election.
Khan last week called on his party’s leadership and supporters from all walks of life to mark Feb. 8 as a “Black Day” and hold protests across the country to protest alleged rigging in Pakistan’s general election last year.
The national polls on Feb. 8, 2024 were marred by a countrywide shutdown of cellphone networks and delayed results, leading to widespread allegations of election manipulation by the PTI and other opposition parties.
The caretaker government and the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) deny the charges, saying mobile networks were shut down to maintain law and order across the country. The US House of Representatives, as well as European countries, have called on Islamabad to open a probe into the allegations — a move that Pakistan has thus far rejected.
“The PTI has decided to hold a political gathering on Feb. 8, 2025, in Lahore at Minar-e-Pakistan ground,” the party stated in its application to the Lahore deputy commissioner.
“For the purpose of same, the undersigned seeks a grant of no objection certificate/approval from your worthy office.”
The party said in its application that its supporters were “peaceful, law-abiding citizens” ready to cooperate with the Punjab government to ensure a “smooth and hassle-free” political gathering.
It further said the PTI had the right to assemble under Pakistan’s constitution, asserting that denying this right would violate a fundamental constitutional principle.
The party has held multiple rallies at the huge park surrounding the 70-meter tall monument in Pakistan’s eastern city of Lahore since 2011.
Political parties, including Khan’s PTI, have used the Minar-e-Pakistan ground to flex their political muscles by holding power shows at the venue.
The latest call for protests comes amid renewed tensions between Khan’s party and the government. following the PTI’s boycott of the latest round of reconciliatory talks with the government on Jan. 28. Khan’s party blames the government for talks breaking down, saying it did not release political prisoners and establish judicial commissions to investigate violent protests of May 9, 2023, and Nov. 26, 2024.
The government blames Khan’s party for walking away from the talks “unilaterally” before they had a chance to respond to the PTI’s demands.
Imran Khan’s party seeks permission for Feb. 8 rally at Lahore’s Minar-e-Pakistan
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Imran Khan’s party seeks permission for Feb. 8 rally at Lahore’s Minar-e-Pakistan
- Party says will mark Feb. 8 Pakistan election anniversary as “Black Day” with nationwide protests
- Says supporters are “peaceful” citizens ready to help Punjab ensure hassle-free political gathering
Pakistan bank enables Shariah-compliant digital payment facility for passengers at Islamabad airport
Pakistan bank enables Shariah-compliant digital payment facility for passengers at Islamabad airport
- Pakistan is a cash-dominated market where a significant portion of transactions in the informal sector are made without any taxes, officials say
- The move comes amid Pakistan’s efforts to introduce a cashless model at airports under which only digital service providers can provide services
KARACHI: Aik, Pakistan’s first Islamic digital bank, has enabled fully digital payments at Islamabad International Airport to offer travelers and passengers secure, Shariah compliant digital transaction facility.
The development comes amid Pakistan’s efforts to introduce a cashless model at airports across the country, under which only digital service providers can provide services to customers.
Aik, a subsidiary of Bank Islami, said it has onboarded merchants across the Islamabad airport and integrated QR code deployments at key touchpoints to allow passengers and visitors to make secure, seamless, and Shariah-compliant digital transactions at all counters, retail outlets, and service points.
It said the implementation complies with the regulations and framework set by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) and is a working model for a large-scale adoption of cashless systems in public infrastructure.
“This deployment reflects our commitment to building practical digital infrastructure that improves everyday transactions,” Aik Chief Officer Ashfaque Ahmed said in a statement.
“By enabling a fully cashless environment at a major national gateway, we are supporting efficiency, transparency, and financial inclusion at scale. This is not only a project; it is a foundation for Pakistan’s cashless future.”
Pakistan is a cash-dominated market where a significant portion of transactions, particularly in the informal sector, are conducted in cash. Officials say many of these transactions are aimed at avoiding taxes.
In recent years, the SBP has taken steps to ensure a transition toward a more cashless economy so that transactions are more traceable, reducing chances of tax evasion and corruption.
By digitizing Islamabad airport, aik said it continues to invest in secure and accessible financial solutions that “expand digital participation and support national economic modernization.”
