Punjab Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Inam Ghani, on Monday, ordered the police to not prevent the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) leaders from leading the Jalsa in Multan, reported media.

According to the details, the police chief asked the force to remove all barriers placed on roads to prevent the gathering from taking place, just hours before the Jalsa. Containers and barricades were placed on all paths leading to the venue of gathering Qila Kohna Qasim Bagh Stadium in Multan.

The barriers were placed on roads after PDM decided to hold the rally and took charge of the venue on Saturday after it was sealed by the local administration on Friday.

The local administration of Multan, on Thursday, had declined an application by the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) to grant permission for a public gathering planned, citing the rising spread of the coronavirus. The Deputy Commissioner of Multan Amir Khattak had refused to allow opposition parties to hold the gathering while citing that Punjab government directives have banned any public gatherings of more than 300 guests until January 31 next year. Khattak also added that at least eight smart lockdowns have been imposed in the city to curb the COVID-19 outbreak.