PESHAWAR: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has announced plans to hold a public rally at Karachi’s Mazar-e-Quaid on January 11 as part of its street movement ahead of the February 8 protest campaign, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi said on Friday.
In a statement issued before departing for Sindh, CM Afridi said he would address a rally at the Quaid-e-Azam’s mausoleum at 4:30pm on Sunday. He added that the visit aims to mobilise public support in Sindh in line with PTI’s ongoing political movement.
“I will convey the message of our imprisoned founder, Imran Khan, to every corner of Sindh,” Afridi said, urging residents of the province to actively support PTI’s street movement. He claimed the party would organise “the largest rally in Karachi’s history.”
Upon his arrival at Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport, CM Afridi was received by Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Saeed Ghani, who presented him with a Sindhi topi and ajrak as a gesture of welcome.
However, the district administration stated that PTI has not yet been granted permission to hold the rally. Officials said approval would be issued only after security clearance is obtained.
Meanwhile, CM Afridi’s aide on information, Shafi Jan, said the chief minister is also scheduled to meet Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah on Monday (January 12). During his stay, Afridi will meet PTI leadership at Insaf House, visit the Karachi Press Club, and hold several political engagements.
Jan reiterated that PTI intends to hold a major rally at Mazar-e-Quaid on January 11, adding that the Sindh visit is aimed at accelerating the party’s street movement.
PTI has formally sought permission for the gathering. Karachi Region PTI President Raja Azhar wrote to the deputy commissioner of District East, requesting approval to organise a public meeting at Bagh-e-Jinnah near the Quaid’s mausoleum, assuring that the rally would remain peaceful and in line with the prescribed code of conduct.
PTI is part of the opposition alliance Tehreek-e-Tahaffuz-e-Ayeen-Pakistan (TTAP), which has announced street mobilisation to coincide with the second anniversary of the February 8, 2024, general elections.
As part of his visit, CM Afridi is also expected to travel to Hyderabad, where he will address the bar association and press club, attend party meetings, and participate in an Insaf Students Federation (ISF) convention. He is also scheduled to meet leaders of Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen and address the Sindh High Court Bar before returning to Peshawar.
Earlier, Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon said the provincial government would facilitate CM Afridi’s visit and ensure his security, while cautioning that all political activities must remain within the bounds of the law and should not disrupt public life.