Despite obstacles set up by the police and the arrest of party members, a significant number of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) activists held a rally on Sunday evening, demanding the immediate release of party founder Imran Khan from prison.
The PTI had initially planned a rally from its headquarters, Insaf House on Sharea Faisal, to Mazar-i-Quaid. However, before the event began, a heavy police presence surrounded the area, making it nearly impossible to proceed.
A spokesperson for the PTI, Mohammed Ali Bozdar, claimed that over 20 workers were detained by the police from various areas, including Hassan Square, Sachal, Korangi, Gulistan-i-Jauhar, and Sharea Faisal. However, police sources denied these claims.
An unnamed senior official stated that they simply prevented the activists from conducting the rally from Insaf House as they lacked permission from the district administration.
The situation escalated when PTI leaders, including Sindh chapter president Haleem Adil Sheikh and senior vice president Sher Afzal Marwat, gathered at Insaf House and found it surrounded by police.
Despite the police blockade, PTI workers challenged the arrangements, leading to the detention of several activists and prompting strong protests from the party on Sharea Faisal.
“We announced the rally days ago,” stated Haleem Adil Sheikh. “Suddenly, the police intervened, obstructing our route without providing any explanation. They harassed and arrested our workers, taking them to Baloch Colony police station. What kind of democracy is this? It’s worse than dictatorship. But let me be clear, we won’t back down. Peaceful protest is our right, and we will exercise it at any cost.”
Following discussions between police authorities and PTI leaders, the detained party workers were released, and the rally eventually commenced from Sharea Faisal, reaching its destination by sunset. It was joined by several other rallies from different parts of the city.
During the rally, leaders vowed to continue their struggle for a true democratic state with the rule of law and emphasized the people’s right to choose their leaders freely.
“The people of Karachi have once again demonstrated their unwavering support for Imran Khan,” said Mr. Marwat. “No illegal tactics can deter them. Today’s massive rally sends a clear message to all those who seek to exclude Imran Khan from the country’s politics.”
Haleem Adil announced that Sunday’s event was just a preview of the upcoming power show on April 28 in Karachi’s Bagh-i-Jinnah.
“Karachi’s residents have consistently stood by the PTI,” he remarked. “In the 2024 elections, massive rigging led to the loss of all our Karachi seats. The people now demand accountability for this electoral fraud. The upcoming rally in Karachi will be historic.”
