Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi on Sunday reiterated his determination to hold a public rally at Karachi’s Bagh-e-Jinnah, despite alleging that obstacles were created during his journey from Hyderabad to the port city.
In a video statement, the chief minister claimed that blocked roads and diversions were deliberately used to push his convoy onto deserted routes, but asserted that he had safely reached Karachi and that the rally would go ahead as planned.
His remarks came after the PTI secured official permission from the Sindh government to hold the gathering following brief friction over the venue and timing. Afridi is on a three-day visit to Sindh as part of the party’s street mobilisation campaign marking the first anniversary of the February 8, 2024, general elections, which the PTI has termed “fraudulent”.
According to a post on the party’s official social media account, the rally is scheduled to take place at Jinnah Garden, commonly known as Bagh-e-Jinnah, at 2pm, after the Sindh administration issued a no-objection certificate.
PTI Sindh president Haleem Adil Sheikh said the event would proceed as planned, despite delays in securing approval that created logistical challenges for organisers.
Sheikh said the party had initially announced plans to hold the rally outside the public gate of Mazar-e-Quaid, but the late issuance of the NOC limited preparation time.
He added that authorities had earlier advised the party to avoid street processions and instead organise a single public meeting. He also alleged that police actions, including the removal of vendors and restrictions on containers reaching the venue, were aimed at hindering preparations.
Sindh officials, however, played down tensions. Local Government Minister Nasir Hussain Shah said there was no intent to obstruct the rally and that the provincial government was ready to facilitate arrangements. Home Minister Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar warned that protests on roads would not be allowed, stressing that the rally must be confined to the approved venue.
