PTI to Rally at Bagh-e-Jinnah Today

News Desk 

Karachi: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is set to hold a public rally in Karachi on Saturday after resolving a brief standoff with the Sindh government over the venue and timing of the event.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, who arrived in Karachi on Friday for a three-day visit, announced the rally as part of PTI’s street mobilisation campaign marking the first anniversary of what the party describes as the “fraudulent” February 8, 2024 general elections.

According to a post on PTI’s official X account, the rally will now take place at Jinnah Garden (Bagh-e-Jinnah) at 2pm, following the issuance of a no-objection certificate (NOC) by the Sindh administration late on Friday evening.

PTI Sindh President Haleem Adil Sheikh said the party finalised plans for the rally after receiving official permission. He said PTI had initially announced that the gathering would be held outside the public gate of Mazar-e-Quaid at 5pm on Friday, but the NOC was issued after 6:30pm, creating logistical difficulties.

“The late issuance of the NOC created challenges for arrangements, but the rally will take place today as scheduled,” Sheikh said.

He added that PTI had earlier planned street demonstrations, but the provincial government advised the party to hold a single public gathering instead of road processions.

Read More: https://thepenpk.com/pti-not-to-be-allowed-to-hold-rally-at-bagh-e-jinnah-raja-ansari/

“The government itself suggested avoiding street protests and opting for a public meeting,” he said, while alleging that police removed vendors and obstructed the movement of containers to the venue in an attempt to disrupt preparations.

Sheikh further claimed the Sindh government was attempting to project itself positively by granting permission at the last moment.

Meanwhile, Sindh Local Government Minister Nasir Hussain Shah downplayed reports of tensions, saying the provincial administration had no intention of obstructing the rally.

“There was only a two- to three-hour delay in issuing the NOC,” he said, adding that the government was ready to facilitate PTI with chairs, containers and manpower if required.

Shah said there was still sufficient time for PTI to complete arrangements and suggested the party could consider postponing the rally by a day to ensure better organisation.

However, Sindh Home Minister Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar warned that any attempt to hold rallies on roads would not be tolerated.

“PTI has been granted permission to hold its rally at Bagh-e-Jinnah only. No protest will be allowed on the streets,” he said, adding that the government would not allow any challenge to the writ of the state.

Separately, a meeting between Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah and KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, initially expected on Saturday, was postponed due to official engagements, sources said.

Later, Minister Nasir Hussain Shah clarified that the meeting had not been formally scheduled for Saturday and is now likely to take place on Monday.

PTI leaders dismissed speculation regarding the meeting, with Haleem Adil Sheikh saying it was incorrect to suggest that the KP chief minister was eager for the meeting, while confirming that it is expected to be held on Monday.