KARACHI: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Sunday managed to stage a massive power show at Karachi’s Bagh-e-Jinnah as part of its newly launched street movement, led by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Mohammad Sohail Khan Afridi, demanding the release of its incarcerated founder Imran Khan and restoration of ‘real democracy’ and Constitution.
Thousands of PTI supporters and activists reached the Bagh-e-Jinnah near Mazar-e-Quaid and surrounding areas despite hurdles put in place by the provincial administration. PTI had announced plans to hold the rally outside the Mazar-e-Quaid after receiving late permission from the district administration.
The convoy of KP CM, which set off from the Gadap Town in the form of a rally to participate in the public meeting, reached the old Numaish area late at night.
Addressing a public gathering at Numaish, Afridi said the massive crowd in Karachi had proved that PTI was the true representative party of the city. He said the Sindh government had created obstacles, but the people overcame them and made the rally successful.
Condemning the police action against party workers and restrictions on holding the public meeting at Bagh-e-Jinnah, he said the Sindh government, like the Punjab government, had failed to treat the PTI fairly.
“Those who claim they will eliminate PTI and end the politics of Imran Khan should witness this massive rally,” he said, adding that whenever Imran Khan gives a call for a street movement, people will come out in large numbers.
He said the turnout demonstrated that the nation stood with the PTI founder Imran Khan. Announcing that the next phase of the movement would be launched in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Afridi said Imran Khan’s message would be taken across the country through street agitation.
Expressing gratitude to the people of Sindh, especially Karachi, he said they had proved that a large rally could be held even without facilities. He alleged that so-called champions of democracy had failed to uphold the democratic values, disrespected Sindhi cultural symbols and undermined the Constitution.
He said the people were ready to march on D-Chowk and were awaiting Imran Khan’s call, urging supporters to remain prepared and continue resisting what he termed fascism.
“We will not allow anyone to abolish our rights or keep the leader of the nation in jail without justification,” he said, adding that PTI’s struggle could not be stopped.
