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

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf on Sunday 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. 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.

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.

Earlier, reports said police continued to detain PTI workers at Numaish Chowrangi. Footage circulating from the area near Bagh-e-Jinnah showed protesters pelting stones at a police mobile van, with some individuals seen stopping the vehicle and hurling stones at it. Police responded by using shelling to disperse the crowd.

The detention of PTI workers at Numaish Chowrangi was reported to be ongoing, while police also carried out baton charges at intervals to disperse workers gathering at the intersection. In one instance, a police officer was seen slapping a worker.

Meanwhile, a PTI Karachi spokesperson said that Chief Minister Afridi, along with his convoy, would arrive at Mazar-e-Quaid shortly.

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.