KARACHI: Several activists of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) were detained by police on Sunday after clashes broke out near Numaish Chowrangi, close to Bagh-e-Jinnah, ahead of the party’s scheduled public rally.
Law enforcement officials said that over 30 PTI workers were taken into custody after tensions escalated, during which a police officer was reportedly assaulted. The detained individuals were later moved in a prisoners’ van from the area.
Videos shared on social media show demonstrators blocking a police vehicle and hurling stones at it near Bagh-e-Jinnah. In response, police used shelling to disperse the crowd. Additional confrontations were reported at the VIP gate of Mazar-e-Quaid, where protesters and police engaged in scuffles.
Police stated that further legal action would be initiated against individuals identified as being involved in stone-pelting and violence.
Despite the unrest, PTI is set to hold its power show at Bagh-e-Jinnah later today after securing a no-objection certificate (NOC) from the Sindh government.
The rally was announced by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, who described the gathering as “historic” during his three-day visit to Sindh.
Earlier, Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon confirmed that permission had been granted under strict conditions, emphasizing that PTI organisers would be fully responsible for maintaining law and order. He added that speeches against the state or its institutions, along with inflammatory, sectarian, or objectionable content, would not be tolerated.
CM Afridi, who arrived in Karachi on January 9, spent the first two days of his visit without incident. However, earlier on Sunday, he alleged that provincial authorities intentionally created hurdles by diverting his convoy onto remote routes during his return from Hyderabad.
In a video message, Afridi said he had reached Karachi and assured supporters that the rally would proceed as planned.
A PTI spokesperson confirmed that the chief minister had departed for the rally venue along with senior party leaders, including Secretary General Salman Akram Raja and Sindh President Haleem Adil Sheikh. The rally is expected to pass through multiple city routes before concluding at Bagh-e-Jinnah.
Meanwhile, Sindh Home Minister Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar warned that any assembly outside the approved venue or on city roads would invite strict action. Authorities also reiterated that permission for the rally could be withdrawn at any time due to security concerns.
In a separate development, Sindh Local Government Minister Nasir Hussain Shah sarcastically offered logistical support to PTI, including chairs and containers. “If they are short of people, we can provide those too,” he remarked.
Echoing similar sentiments, Sindh Culture Minister Zulfiqar Ali accused PTI of creating unnecessary drama after realizing it lacked sufficient attendance for the event, claiming the party wanted the provincial government to arrange participants for its rally.
