Sindh issues NOC for PTI rally at Bagh-e-Jinnah after change of venue

In an interesting turn of events, the Sindh government issued a no-objection certificate (NOC) to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) rally at Bagh-e-Jinnah on Sunday, soon after the party shifted the venue of its rally to the Mazar-e-Quaid public gate, citing prolonged delays in approval by the authorities.

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, who arrived in Karachi on Friday for a three-day visit to Sindh, had earlier announced that a rally would be held at Bagh-e-Jinnah on Sunday, subject to approval by the provincial government and local administration.

As permission had not been granted by Saturday afternoon, the PTI canceled its plans for Bagh-e-Jinnah and announced that the rally would be held at the public gate of Mazar-e-Quaid on Sunday at 2 pm.

Addressing a press conference at Bagh-e-Jinnah on Saturday, PTI Sindh president Haleem Adil Sheikh criticized the provincial authorities for what he described as obstruction of the party’s political activities.

Sheikh said that after the announcement of the KP chief minister’s visit to Sindh, the provincial government offered protocol and security, but the party clarified that it was only seeking constitutional and political freedom to interact with the public.

He said that formal applications had been made to the Eastern deputy commissioner for permission to hold a meeting at Bagh-e-Jinnah, adding that security fees worth Rs 2.5 million were also deposited with the Mazar-e-Quaid committee.

“Despite fulfilling all legal requirements, neither written permission nor an NOC was granted. At 5.15 pm, the gate of Bagh-e-Jinnah was suddenly closed and the police blocked the entry of teams,” the PTI Sindh president said.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf returns equipment after canceling rally at Bagh-e-Jinnah. Photo: Express

Announcing the change of venue, Sheikh said the party would now hold its rally at the public gate of Mazar-e-Quaid on Sunday, January 11, at 2 pm instead of the earlier scheduled 4 pm. He said the KP chief minister would attend and address the meeting.

He urged Karachi residents to participate in a “peaceful and firm” manner. “PTI is a peaceful political party. The entire city witnessed the departure of thousands of people without damaging a single element. The public reception shows that PTI remains at the forefront. Our leader is Imran Khan, and we defend the Constitution, democracy and non-violent struggle,” he said.

Sheikh said that the KP Chief Minister and the party delegation are in Sindh to convey Imran Khan’s message to the public through street movement.

Read more: KP CM Afridi says PTI to hold rally in Karachi despite no written approval

Speaking alongside PTI Karachi Chairman Raja Azhar, General Secretary Arsalan Khalid, Fahim Khan, Balochistan President Dawood Shah Kakar, Alamgir Khan, Barrister Shujaat Ali Khan and other senior leaders, Sheikh said the reception in Karachi was “proud and historic”.

“On January 9, residents of Karachi showed their support for Imran Khan’s message. This shows that the city has always been and will continue to be Imran Khan’s stronghold,” he said.

However, the situation took another turn when the Sindh government granted permission to hold the rally at Bagh-e-Jinnah after the PTI had made arrangements for an alternative venue.

On Saturday night, the Sindh government issued an NOC allowing the PTI to hold a public rally at Bagh-e-Jinnah. Provincial Information Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon said the rally would take place on Sunday and that the NOC had been given specific conditions.

According to the conditions, the organizers will be responsible for maintaining public order during the demonstration. No provocative speeches, objectionable content or sectarian comments, nor speeches against Pakistan or state institutions will be permitted.

The organizers must ensure smooth traffic flow and conclude the program within the designated time. The district administration reserves the right to cancel the permit due to security reasons.

Anarchy will not be tolerated, says Sindh minister

Sindh Local Government, Housing and Urban Planning Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah said all political parties are free to carry out peaceful political activities in the province, but none will be allowed to take the law into their hands.

Speaking to reporters at the Karachi Exhibition Centre, Nasir Shah said that the KP chief minister represented the mandate of the people of his province and on the instructions of PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, he was being provided with the protocol.

He said the PTI provincial leaders had been clearly informed that blocking of roads on the pretext of receptions would not be permitted, warning that the law would take its course if the public were disturbed.

Nasir Shah said Sindh had always been hospitable and despite political differences with the PTI, there was no personal animosity. He added that efforts are being made to ensure that the KP chief minister’s visit to Sindh is peaceful.