LAHORE: 02, DECEMBER, 2020: The local administration in Lahore on Wednesday has refused to grant permission to opposition’s Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) for holding public gathering at the Greater Iqbal Park on December 13.

According to details, the PDM leadership has submitted a formal application seeking no objection certificate (NOC) for the public rally at Minar-e-Pakistan in Lahore.

The organizers of PDM rally also asked the provincial government to ensure security arrangements at the venue to avert any untoward mishap. However, the authorities refused the appeal in the wake of preventing the coronavirus spread. 

The PDM, an alliance of 11 opposition parties, announced that it would hold its next rally in Lahore on December 13.

On the other hand, a case was lodged against the organisers of PDM public gathering in Multan, including three sons of ex-PM Yousaf Raza Gillani and others, over COVID-19 SOPs violation and vandalism of government property. 

Ali Musa Gillani, Abdul Qadir Gillani, Ali Haider Gillani, Abdul Rehman Kanjo, Bilal Butt, Ayaz-ul-Haq Qasmi of JUI were among the 51 persons nominated in the FIR.

The number of coronavirus cases in the country has mounted to 403,311 on Wednesday after more infections were reported in different parts of the country.

According to the national database, 2,829 persons tested positive for the deadly virus in 24 hours whereas the total count of active cases increased up to 49,780.

In addition, the country has recorded 8,166 deaths so far, after 75 fatalities were reported over the last 24 hours. (04)