KARACHI/HYDERABAD (MNN); Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has vowed not to leave Sindh until the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf succeeds in holding its planned political gathering in Karachi, as his convoy continued its journey towards the provincial capital amid reported obstacles and heightened security restrictions.
Afridi, accompanied by PTI Sindh President Haleem Adil Sheikh and KP PTI President Junaid Akbar, is currently on a five-day political mobilisation campaign in Sindh ahead of the party’s planned nationwide protest on September 27.
The campaign is aimed at mobilising party supporters for PTI’s demand for the release of its founder Imran Khan and his immediate medical treatment.
Earlier in the day, the KP chief minister addressed party workers and supporters in Tando Allahyar and Hyderabad, where he alleged that authorities were creating hurdles along the route of the PTI caravan.
Speaking to reporters while travelling towards Karachi, Afridi said the party was determined to hold its political gathering, even if it had to be postponed.
“If we cannot reach Karachi today, we will hold the rally tomorrow, and if not tomorrow, then the following day,” he said.
Afridi declared that he would remain in Sindh until PTI was able to launch its political movement in Karachi.
The KP chief minister also referred to earlier remarks by PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, who had welcomed him to Sindh on social media.
Afridi questioned why, despite the public welcome, his convoy was allegedly facing roadblocks and other restrictions.
He urged Bilawal to clarify who was responsible for the obstacles if they were not being created on the instructions of the Sindh government.
Meanwhile, PTI Sindh President Haleem Adil Sheikh said the caravan would reach Karachi despite all hurdles. In social media posts, he claimed that the convoy had travelled through remote interior routes while attempting to make its way towards the metropolis.
Sheikh also alleged that obstacles were being cleared from the convoy’s route, including at Kotri Bridge near Hyderabad.
Security Restrictions Around Mazar-i-Quaid
Karachi District East Police announced that no public gathering, rally or procession would be allowed around Mazar-i-Quaid on Shahrah-i-Quaideen, the venue where PTI had planned to hold its gathering.
Police warned that legal action could be taken if any public gathering was organised without permission.
Security around Mazar-i-Quaid was further strengthened due to the prevailing threat situation, with additional police personnel deployed and surveillance tightened at entry and exit points.
Police officials said certain roads around the monument had been closed because of security concerns and intelligence-based alerts.
A senior police officer stated that PTI had not been granted permission to hold its rally at Mazar-i-Quaid because of the reported security threat. However, alternative locations, including the Super Highway Toll Plaza or areas near Jail Chowrangi, were reportedly available for a political gathering.
Police also said several PTI workers were detained after attempting to reach the Mazar-i-Quaid area.
According to a police official, around 150 to 200 PTI supporters had gathered near the site. The officer alleged that some workers threw stones at police personnel, injuring one officer, after which law enforcement personnel used tear gas to disperse the crowd.
Traffic police also confirmed the closure of several roads in Karachi under heightened security arrangements and a reported red alert.
Afridi Addresses Supporters in Hyderabad
Earlier, Afridi addressed a large PTI gathering at Hyderabad’s Hyder Chowk, where he urged party supporters and young people to actively participate in the political movement.
He said September 27 would be an important date for the party and called on PTI supporters across Pakistan to join the planned nationwide protests.
Afridi also criticised Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz over her recent remarks regarding security threats from neighbouring provinces and demanded an apology.
During the Hyderabad gathering, PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja also addressed supporters and described September 27 as an important day for the party’s political movement.
PTI Alleges Political Restrictions
PTI strongly condemned what it described as the blocking of its caravan and the detention of party workers in different cities of Sindh.
The party claimed that while Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari had welcomed Afridi’s visit on social media, the Sindh administration and police were allegedly creating barriers for PTI’s political activities.
PTI described the alleged restrictions as political hypocrisy and demanded that its workers be allowed to exercise their democratic and political rights.
The party also called for the immediate release of workers who were allegedly detained in Hyderabad, Karachi and other parts of Sindh.
The political controversy followed an earlier cordial exchange between Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and Sohail Afridi on social media.
Bilawal had welcomed the KP chief minister to Sindh and expressed hope for a political culture based on tolerance, respect and coexistence.
In response, Afridi thanked him and said democracy depended on political freedom, freedom of expression, judicial independence, acceptance of the public mandate and a free press.
However, the situation later developed into a political dispute as PTI alleged that its workers and caravan were facing restrictions during the Sindh tour.