PTI convoy heads to Bagh-e-Jinnah amid claims of road blockades

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi on Sunday accused the Sindh government of using force against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) workers, alleging that the provincial administration treated party members in a manner similar to the Punjab government.

Addressing supporters at Numaish Chowrangi, Afridi thanked people of Sindh for their reception, saying, “We can never forget the respect we received from the people of Sindh. But the Sindh government has disrespected the Sindhi cap and Ajrak. You must not forgive them for this.”

While expressing gratitude for the warm welcome, Afridi criticised the provincial administration for allegedly obstructing his rally. “The Sindh government trampled Sindh’s traditions, engaged in police brutality, blocked our paths, and left us on deserted roads in the darkness of night. We will remember all of this,” he said.

He also condemned attacks on PTI members, including women and children, and assaults on media personnel. “Our media van was vandalised, and we strongly condemn the attack on it by the Sindh government,” he added.

Afridi compared the situation with Punjab, saying, “Previously, Punjab’s fake government acted in the same manner. Now, in Sindh, the fake government that has encroached on your mandate has repeated the same traditions.”

Afridi emphasised that party members would not allow anyone to infringe upon their mandate or rights. “We will not allow anyone to snatch our rights or unjustly imprison our leader, Imran Khan,” he said, urging supporters to remain alert against “oppression, tyranny, and fascism” and to act in accordance with party directives.

The chief minister said the party’s street movement, which was previously mobilised in Punjab, is now active in Sindh, with plans to continue in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa before announcing the next phase.

Afridi had initially planned to address a rally at Jinnah Ground, but the convoy, scheduled to reach the venue at 4:00 pm, was delayed until around 10:30 pm due to alleged government obstacles, roadblocks, and heavy crowds. The overwhelming turnout forced him to speak at Numaish Chowrangi instead.

K-P CM convoy delayed amid claims of blocked roads

Earlier, PTI alleged that authorities blocked key routes in Karachi to prevent its workers from reaching the rally venue at Bagh-e-Jinnah, as the party’s convoy led by Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi made its way to the ground amid reports of clashes and detentions.

According to PTI, the convoy was travelling to the rally venue via the Lyari Expressway. The convoy included Sindh President Haleem Adil Sheikh, Secretary General Barrister Salman Akram Raja, Provincial Minister Mina Khan Afridi, Shafi Jan, and other party leaders. PTI officials said the turnout demonstrated the party’s strong support base in the city.

The convoy left Gadap Town en route to Bagh-e-Jinnah. Police set up barricades at several points, including Al-Asif Square, Lyari Expressway interchanges, Gulbai, and Baldia Town. Baton charges and tear gas were reportedly used as the convoy neared the venue.

PTI Sindh President Haleem Adil Sheikh said in a post on X that the K-P chief minister, along with senior party leaders, would reach Bagh-e-Jinnah at around 7:30pm and convey a “special message” from PTI founder Imran Khan.

He urged party workers and supporters to reach the venue and wait peacefully for the leadership.

However, in a later tweet at 7:45pm, Sheikh said that CM Afridi’s convoy was delayed due to obstacles along the route and the overwhelming welcome from the public. He added that the convoy would reach the rally venue shortly and urged everyone to gather at Bagh-e-Jinnah Ground.

In another statement, Sheikh alleged that the Sindh Police had placed containers at Gul Bai Bridge to block the convoy of the CM Afridi. He said PTI Karachi president Raja Azhar, senior leader Faheem Khan and other party workers had reached the site, adding that the party would proceed to Mazar-i-Quaid regardless of the obstacles.

Meanwhile, PTI workers, eagerly waiting to welcome CM Afridi at Bagh-e-Jinnah, have blocked Numaish Chowrangi, causing major disruption to the city’s traffic system.

Severe jams were reported at Gurumandir, Lasbela Chowk, and Shahrah-e-Quaid-e-Azam. Traffic on Shahrah-e-Faisal and University Road, however, is reported to be moving normally, according to the Traffic Police.

Earlier, clashes broke out in Karachi as PTI workers faced off with police ahead of the party’s public rally at Bagh-e-Jinnah. Two police officers, including a female officer, were injured lightly, and an unidentified group damaged a DSNG vehicle of a media organisation. Officers used baton charges to disperse the crowd, while several PTI workers were taken into custody.

PTI Sindh spokesperson Muhammad Ali Baloch said around 35 workers were detained during the unrest. He said the large public turnout reflected Karachi’s continued support for PTI founder Imran Khan. “Despite police action and arrests, thousands reached Bagh-e-Jinnah grounds near Mazar-e-Quaid to attend the rally,” he added.

Baloch alleged that after the No Objection Certificate (NOC) was granted the previous night, police action targeted PTI workers late at night. Roads leading to Mazar-e-Quaid were blocked, and vehicles were vandalised, he said. “More than two dozen PTI workers were arrested, and police attempted to prevent access using shelling, yet supporters reached the venue,” he added.

Baloch condemned attacks on media vehicles and said PTI workers maintained discipline throughout the rally. He alleged that a few individuals deliberately targeted journalists to disrupt the event, but participants caused no damage. He called on authorities to identify and arrest those responsible for the attacks.

Sharjeel Memon rejects claims of obstruction

Responding to the situation, Sindh Senior Minister for Information, Transport and Mass Transit Sharjeel Inam Memon said the Sindh government had warmly welcomed the CM Afridi and provided him with full security, noting that the office of chief minister was a constitutional position deserving full respect.

In a statement, Memon said PTI’s administration had remained in continuous contact with the Sindh government but regretted that assurances given by the party were not being honoured. He said it had been clearly communicated from the outset that permission had been granted for the rally, adding that levelling allegations against the Sindh government despite this was inappropriate.

He maintained that no one had stopped PTI from holding its rally at the designated ground, but said that rallies and processions taken out on roads were causing severe traffic disruptions and inconvenience to the public.

“Karachi is a metropolitan city, where even gatherings of a few hundred people can cause traffic problems. We want the K-P chief minister to complete his visit smoothly and cordially,” he said.

The senior minister urged PTI workers not to take the law into their own hands and to follow government-issued guidelines. He stressed that the movement of ordinary citizens should not be disrupted and warned against violations of the law.

Memon said security agencies had issued alerts regarding the rally and that a security plan was devised accordingly, adding that Sindh Police had provided full security for the event. He urged compliance with government instructions and said only designated routes should be used.

He further said PTI had not followed the route allocated to it in Hyderabad and instead chose an alternative route. Rejecting claims that the K-P CM convoy was stopped on its return from Hyderabad, he said the congestion occurred at a bridge under the National Highway Authority that routinely experiences heavy traffic due to trailers and transport vehicles, and there was no ill intent on the part of the Sindh government.

Govt warns of security threats, alleges organised unrest

Separately, Government of Pakistan spokesperson for Sindh Raja Ansari said in a video statement that organised groups of terrorist elements were active in various areas of Karachi, harassing the public and damaging property, particularly vehicles. He alleged that police personnel and media representatives were being deliberately targeted.

He said a news vehicle had been pelted with stones and that the injury of a woman journalist was a deeply alarming incident and a blatant attack on press freedom.

Ansari further alleged that PTI was attempting to create chaos and disorder in major cities under an organised Indian agenda, claiming there was also evidence of Afghan terrorist elements operating under the cover of political rallies. He called for immediate action to stop what he described as anti-state activities.

He urged the Sindh government to take effective and impartial measures to protect lives and property, ensure the safety of journalists, and maintain law and order in Karachi.

Meanwhile, the Karachi Press Club (KPC) expressed serious concern over incidents of violence against journalists and vandalism of media houses’ vehicles and DSNG units during the PTI rally at Bagh-e-Jinnah.

In a statement, KPC President Fazil Jameeli, Secretary Aslam Khan and members of the governing body said clashes between PTI workers and police during the rally led to journalists being subjected to violence, which they termed a direct attack on press freedom.

The statement condemned the assault on journalists, cameramen and DSNG operators, as well as damage to media vehicles, calling it highly condemnable and against democratic values.

The Karachi Press Club demanded immediate identification of those involved and strict legal action against them, along with compensation for the losses suffered by affected media houses. It urged the Sindh government and law enforcement agencies to take effective steps to ensure the safety of journalists in the future.