KARACHI: Police on Sunday detained more than 30 Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) workers after clashes broke out near Bagh-e-Jinnah ahead of the party’s scheduled public gathering.
Police officials said the arrests were made at Numaish Chowrangi after protesters allegedly assaulted a policeman and pelted a police vehicle with stones. Detainees were shifted to a prisoners’ van, while police fired tear gas to disperse the crowd.
Disturbances were also reported near the VIP gate of Mazar-e-Quaid, where scuffles erupted between PTI supporters and law enforcement personnel. Police said action would be taken against individuals identified in the stone-pelting incidents.
The PTI is set to hold a power show at Bagh-e-Jinnah later in the evening after securing a no-objection certificate (NOC) from the Sindh government. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, who is on a three-day visit to Sindh, had announced the rally.
Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon said the NOC was issued with conditions, making organisers responsible for maintaining law and order. He said speeches against the country or state institutions, as well as provocative or sectarian remarks, would not be allowed.
Earlier, CM Afridi alleged that provincial authorities blocked roads and created hurdles during his return from Hyderabad to Karachi. In a video message, he said he had reached Karachi and that the rally would go ahead as planned.
A PTI spokesperson said CM Afridi, along with party leaders including Secretary General Salman Akram Raja and Sindh president Haleem Adil Sheikh, had departed for the venue. The rally is expected to pass through various city routes before concluding at Bagh-e-Jinnah.
Sindh Home Minister Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar warned that strict action would be taken against any gathering outside the approved venue or on city roads, adding that permission could be withdrawn due to security concerns.
Meanwhile, Sindh Local Government Minister Nasir Hussain Shah said the government was willing to facilitate the rally by providing logistical support, while Culture Minister Zulfiqar Ali accused PTI of creating unnecessary controversy over arrangements.