ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf has announced plans to hold a public gathering at Mazar-e-Quaid in Karachi on January 11 as part of its street movement ahead of the February 8 protest call. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi confirmed the announcement in a statement issued on Friday following his arrival in Karachi.
Afridi said he will address the rally at 4:30 pm on Sunday and vowed to convey the message of jailed PTI founder Imran Khan across Sindh. He urged residents of the province to extend full support to the party’s mobilisation efforts and claimed the event would be the largest rally in Karachi’s history.
However, the district administration stated that it has not yet granted permission for the gathering. Officials said approval would only be issued after receiving security clearance, adding uncertainty to the planned event.
Administration cautious as PTI seeks formal approval
Meanwhile, KP Chief Minister’s aide on information Shafi Jan said Afridi will meet Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah on January 12 and hold discussions with party leaders at Insaf House. He will also visit the Karachi Press Club during his stay. Jan reiterated that the Karachi rally is a key step in accelerating the street movement.
Earlier this week, Karachi Region PTI President Raja Azhar formally requested permission to hold a public meeting in District East.
In a letter to the deputy commissioner, he sought approval for a rally at Bagh-e-Jinnah near the Quaid-e-Azam mausoleum and assured authorities that the gathering would remain peaceful.
PTI is part of the opposition alliance Tehreek-e-Tahaffuz-e-Ayeen-Pakistan, which has called for nationwide mobilisation linked to the second anniversary of the February 8, 2024 elections. Senior alliance leaders have already begun coordination activities in major cities.
During his Sindh visit, Afridi is also scheduled to visit prisons in Karachi’s South, Korangi and Malir districts to meet inmates. In addition, he will travel to Hyderabad to address the bar association, press club and an ISF convention before returning to Peshawar on Monday.
