Sindh issues NOC for PTI rally at Bagh-e-Jinnah after venue change

In an interesting turn of events, the Sindh government issued a no-objection certificate (NOC) for the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) rally at Bagh-e-Jinnah on Sunday, shortly after the party changed its rally venue to the public gate of Mazar-e-Quaid, citing prolonged delays in approval by the authorities.

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, who arrived in Karachi on Friday for a three-day visit to Sindh, had earlier announced that a rally would be held at Bagh-e-Jinnah on Sunday, subject to approval by the provincial government and local administration.

As permission had not been granted by Saturday afternoon, PTI cancelled its plans for Bagh-e-Jinnah and announced that the rally would instead be held at the public gate of Mazar-e-Quaid on Sunday at 2pm.

Addressing a press conference at Bagh-e-Jinnah on Saturday, PTI Sindh President Haleem Adil Sheikh criticised the provincial authorities for what he described as obstruction of the party’s political activities.

Sheikh said that following the announcement of the K-P chief minister’s Sindh visit, the provincial government offered protocol and security, but the party clarified that it only sought constitutional and political freedom to engage with the public.

He said formal applications had been submitted to the deputy commissioner East for permission to hold a gathering at Bagh-e-Jinnah, adding security fees amounting to Rs2.5 million were also deposited with the Mazar-e-Quaid committee.

“Despite fulfilling all legal requirements, written permission or an NOC was not granted. At 5:15pm, the gate of Bagh-e-Jinnah was suddenly closed and police blocked the entry of equipment,” said the PTI Sindh president.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf sends back equipment after cancelling rally at Bagh-e-Jinnah. Photo: Express

Announcing the change of venue, Sheikh said the party would now hold its rally at the public gate of Mazar-e-Quaid on Sunday, January 11, at 2pm instead of the previously scheduled 4pm. He said K-P chief minister would attend and address the gathering.

He urged Karachi residents to participate in a “peaceful and robust” manner. “PTI is a peaceful political party. The entire city witnessed thousands stepping out without damaging a single item. The public reception shows that PTI remains at the forefront. Our leader is Imran Khan, and we stand for the Constitution, democracy and nonviolent struggle,” he said.

Sheikh said the K-P chief minister and the party delegation are in Sindh to convey Imran Khan’s message to the public through a street movement.

Read More: K-P CM Afridi says PTI to hold Karachi rally despite no written approval

Speaking alongside PTI Karachi President Raja Azhar, General Secretary Arsalan Khalid, Fahim Khan, Balochistan President Dawood Shah Kakar, Alamgir Khan, Advocate Shujaat Ali Khan and other senior leaders, Sheikh said the reception in Karachi was “proud and historic”.

“On January 9, Karachi’s residents demonstrated their support for Imran Khan’s message. It proves that the city has always been, and will remain, Imran Khan’s stronghold,” he said.

However, the situation took another turn when the Sindh government granted permission to hold the rally at Bagh-e-Jinnah after PTI had made arrangements for the alternate venue.

The Sindh government on Saturday evening issued an NOC allowing PTI to hold a public rally at Bagh-e-Jinnah. Senior Provincial Minister for Information Sharjeel Inam Memon said the rally would take place on Sunday and that the NOC had been issued with specific conditions.

According to the conditions, organisers will be responsible for maintaining law and order during the rally. Provocative speeches, objectionable content and sectarian remarks will not be permitted, while speeches against Pakistan or state institutions will also not be allowed.

The organisers will be required to ensure smooth traffic flow and conclude the programme within the designated time. The district administration has reserved the right to cancel the permission on security grounds.

Later, Fouzia Siddiqui, PTI Karachi spokesperson, told The Express News that despite the Sindh government granting permission to hold a rally at Bagh-e-Jinnah, the party will not use the venue as it can no longer prepare for the event.

The PTI leadership has decided the party will now hold a rally at the Quaid-e-Azam Mausoleum’s public gate at 2pm on Sunday.

Lawlessness won’t be tolerated, says Sindh minister

Sindh Minister for Local Government, Housing and Town Planning Syed Nasir Hussain Shah said all political parties are free to carry out peaceful political activities in the province but none would be allowed to take the law into their hands.

Speaking to journalists at Karachi Expo Centre, Nasir Shah said the K-P chief minister represented the mandate of the people of his province and that, on the instructions of PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, protocol was being provided to him.

He said PTI’s provincial leadership had been clearly informed that blocking roads under the pretext of receptions would not be allowed, warning that the law would take its course if the public was inconvenienced.

Nasir Shah said Sindh had always been hospitable and that despite political differences with PTI, there was no personal animosity. He added efforts are being made to ensure the K-P chief minister’s visit to Sindh remains peaceful.