PTI convoy heads towards Bagh-e-Jinnah amid allegations of roadblocks

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf claimed on Sunday that authorities blocked key roads in Karachi to prevent its workers from reaching the rally venue in Bagh-e-Jinnah, as the party’s convoy led by Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi headed to the ground amid reports of clashes and arrests.

According to PTI, the convoy was heading to the rally venue via the Lyari highway. PTI Sindh President Haleem Adil Sheikh said in an article on

He urged party members and supporters to go to the scene and wait peacefully for the leadership.

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

Earlier, reports said that police continued to arrest PTI workers in Numaish Chowrangi. Images circulating in the area near Bagh-e-Jinnah showed protesters throwing stones at a mobile police van, with some individuals stopping the vehicle and throwing stones at it. Police responded by using bombing to disperse the crowds.

The detention of PTI workers at Numaish Chowrangi reportedly continued, while the police also used baton charges at regular intervals to disperse the workers gathered at the intersection. In one case, a police officer was seen slapping a worker.

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

Sharjeel Memon rejects obstruction allegations

Responding to the situation, Sindh Chief Minister for Information, Transport and Public Transport Sharjeel Inam Memon said that the Sindh government warmly welcomed CM Afridi and assured him full security, noting that the post of chief minister was a constitutional position deserving full respect.

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

He maintained that no one stopped the PTI from holding its rally at the designated ground, but said the rallies and processions held on the roads were causing serious traffic disruption 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 KP Chief Minister to complete his visit smoothly and cordially,” he said.

The senior minister urged PTI workers not to take law into their own hands and follow the guidelines issued by the government. 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 gathering and a security plan was drawn up accordingly, adding that Sindh Police ensured complete security of the event. He urged compliance with government instructions and said only designated roads should be used.

He further said that PTI did not follow the route allotted to it in Hyderabad and instead chose an alternative route. Dismissing claims that the KP CM convoy was stopped on its way back from Hyderabad, he said the congestion occurred on a bridge under the National Highway Authority which regularly witnesses heavy traffic due to trailers and transport vehicles, and there was no ill intention on the part of the Sindh government.

Government warns of security threats, alleges organized unrest

Meanwhile, Pakistan government spokesperson for Sindh Raja Ansari said in a video statement that organized groups of terrorist elements were active in various areas of Karachi, harassing the public and damaging properties, especially vehicles. He claimed that police personnel and media representatives were being deliberately targeted.

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

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

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

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

In a statement, KPC president Fazil Jameeli, secretary Aslam Khan and board members said clashes between PTI workers and police during the rally led to violence against journalists, which they termed a direct attack on press freedom.

The statement condemns the attacks against journalists, cameramen and DSNG operators, as well as the damage caused to media vehicles, describing them as highly reprehensible and contrary to democratic values.

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