PTI relocates Karachi rally from Bagh-e-Jinnah to Mazar-e-Quaid following delayed NOC.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf has opted not to conduct its scheduled public rally at Karachi’s Bagh-e-Jinnah, despite obtaining official authorization, and will instead hold the event at the public entrance of Mazar-e-Quaid on Sunday at 2 PM.

The decision followed what the party characterized as a protracted and insincere issue of a no-objection certificate by the Sindh administration, which PTI leaders assert deprived them of adequate time to prepare at the initial venue.

The rally is occurring during a three-day visit to Sindh by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, who declared a “historic” public meeting as part of PTI’s street mobilization to commemorate the first anniversary of the February 8, 2024 general elections, which the party claims were fraudulent.

PTI Karachi spokesman Fauzia Siddiqui informed local media that the party received authorization for Bagh-e-Jinnah only at 6:30 PM on Saturday, well after preparations had commenced and following a press conference by Sindh PTI president Haleem Adil Sheikh at the same location. Despite ongoing preparations until Saturday evening, the NOC was not granted. The Deputy Commissioner East abruptly issued the release late in the evening, which we suspect was executed with malicious intent,” she stated, noting that the party could no longer organize the rally at Bagh-e-Jinnah on such short notice.

The leadership of PTI has so resolved to conduct the public gathering at the Quaid’s Mausoleum entrance at 2 PM, where Afridi would be in attendance among party supporters from throughout the city.

PTI obtains NOC for Karachi rally

Earlier today, the Deputy Commissioner East officially granted the NOC permitting PTI to conduct a rally at Bagh-e-Jinnah, accompanied by a comprehensive list of stipulations. The permission stipulates that the organizers are accountable for maintaining law and order, while the sale or distribution of provocative materials, audio or video recordings, and any anything considered inflammatory is prohibited. Hate speech, sectarian comments, and statements against the state or military forces were prohibited.

The NOC mandated complete adherence to the Loudspeaker Act and other relevant legislation, in addition to the installation of walk-through gates, metal detectors, and the engagement of volunteers for security purposes. The complete event was to be recorded on video, and the material given to the authorities the subsequent day. The organizers were responsible for traffic management and parking, permitting parking solely 200 yards from the event and restricting entry and departure locations. The district administration retained the authority to revoke permission at any moment for security reasons or in the event of any violation of the restrictions.

Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon affirmed that the NOC was granted under stringent conditions, emphasizing that the rally organizers will have complete responsibility for upholding law and order and ensuring unobstructed traffic in the adjacent areas. He cautioned that any breach of the specified conditions could lead to repercussions or annulment of the event.

Notwithstanding the approval, PTI Sindh leader Raja Azhar stated that the party had not adequately obtained the NOC in a timely manner to facilitate arrangements. “Even with permission granted, arrangements cannot be established at this time,” he stated, affirming the decision to relocate the assembly to the public entrance of the Quaid’s mausoleum.

Chief Minister Sohail Afridi visits Karachi

Afridi came in Karachi on Friday for a three-day visit and was greeted at the airport by Pakistan Peoples Party leader Saeed Ghani, who bestowed upon him a Sindhi topi and ajrak. Subsequently, he arrived at the Karachi Press Club, where he spoke to party members and journalists, and also proceeded to Jamshoro, where he denounced the PPP leadership, alleging it had modified the Constitution through the 26th and 27th amendments, and asserted that the Centre was operating under what he termed a fraudulent mandate.

PTI leaders assert that the assembly at Mazar-e-Quaid on Sunday would go as scheduled, with supporters encouraged to convene at the public entrance at 2 PM to listen to the address by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister.