PTI’s Pakistan Day Rally Faces Resistance in Karachi
A Pakistan Day rally organized by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Sunday encountered resistance as it made its way toward Mazar-i-Quaid, the party claimed in a statement.
According to PTI spokesperson Mohammed Ali Bozdar, the rally was led by PTI Sindh President Haleem Adil Sheikh, Karachi President Raja Azhar, General Secretary Arsalan Khalid, and other party leaders. The demonstration, which began at Empress Market, was intended to reach Mazar-i-Quaid. However, the statement alleged that law enforcement authorities placed barricades at multiple locations to obstruct the march.
“Heavy police deployment was observed around the Karachi Press Club, and at Mazar-i-Quaid, officials allegedly used force to disperse participants, leading to PTI workers being manhandled,” the party stated.
Condemning the police action, Haleem Adil Sheikh asserted, “We are patriotic Pakistanis, yet we are being stopped from celebrating Pakistan Day. We are carrying national flags, not weapons.” He accused the Sindh government of acting under a “dictatorship” led by PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, alleging that law enforcement was prioritizing suppression of PTI rather than addressing Karachi’s rising street crime.
Karachi PTI President Raja Azhar also criticized the crackdown, questioning, “As Pakistani citizens, do we not have the right to celebrate Pakistan Day?” He further claimed that Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari’s “illegitimate government” was nearing its end and predicted the downfall of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) in Sindh.
The rally participants reportedly waved both Pakistani and PTI flags while chanting slogans demanding the release of Imran Khan and criticizing the government’s policies.
When approached for comment, South Deputy Inspector General of Police Syed Asad Raza told Dawn.com that the police had cordoned off the Karachi Press Club due to “security reasons” by positioning buses on Sarwar Shaheed Road and setting up temporary barriers.
