PTI convoy heads to Bagh-e-Jinnah amid reports of road blockages

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf on Sunday alleged that authorities blocked key routes in Karachi to prevent its workers from reaching the rally venue in Bagh-e-Jinnah, as the party convoy led by Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi headed to the ground amid reports of clashes and arrests.

According to PTI, the convoy was heading to the protest venue via Lyari Highway. PTI Sindh president Haleem Adil Sheikh said in a post on

He urged the party workers and supporters to reach the spot and wait peacefully for the management.

In another statement, Sheikh alleged that Sindh Police had placed containers on Gul Bai Bridge to block CM Afridi’s convoy. He said PTI Karachi president Raja Azhar, leader Faheem Khan and other party workers had reached the spot, adding that the party would proceed to Mazar-i-Quaid irrespective of the obstacles.

Earlier, reports said that police continued to detain PTI workers at Numaish Chowrangi. Footage circulating from the area near Bagh-e-Jinnah showed protesters throwing stones at a mobile police van, and some individuals were seen stopping the vehicle and throwing stones at it. Police responded by using shelling to disperse the crowd.

The detention of PTI workers at Numaish Chowrangi was reported to be continuing, while the police also launched baton charges at intervals to disperse the workers gathered at the intersection. In one case, a police officer was seen slapping a worker.

Meanwhile, a PTI Karachi spokesperson said that Chief Minister Afridi, along with his convoy, would arrive at Mazar-e-Quaid shortly.

Sharjeel Memon rejects obstruction accusations

Responding to the situation, Sindh Chief Minister of Information, Transport and Public Transport Sharjeel Inam Memon said that the Sindh government had warmly welcomed CM Afridi and provided him with full security, noting that the post of prime minister was a constitutional position that deserved full respect.

In a statement, Memon said the PTI administration had remained in continuous touch with the Sindh government, but regretted that the assurances given by the party were not being honoured. He said it had been clearly communicated from the beginning that permission for the rally had been granted, adding that leveling accusations against the Sindh government despite this was inappropriate.

He maintained that no one had stopped the PTI from holding its rally at the designated ground, but said the rallies and processions held on the roads were causing serious traffic disruption and inconvenience to the public.

“Karachi is a metropolitan city, where even gatherings of a few hundred people can cause traffic problems. We want the KP chief minister to complete his visit smoothly and cordially,” he said.

The chief minister urged PTI workers not to take the law into their own hands and follow the guidelines issued by the government. He stressed that the movement of ordinary citizens should not be disturbed and warned against violations of the law.

Memon said security agencies had issued alerts about the rally and a security plan was devised accordingly, adding that Sindh Police had provided full security for the event. He urged compliance with government instructions and said only designated routes should be used.

He further said that PTI had not followed the route allotted to it in Hyderabad and instead chose an alternative route. Rejecting claims that KP CM’s convoy was stopped on its return from Hyderabad, he said the congestion occurred on a bridge under the National Highway Authority that usually sees heavy traffic due to trailers and transport vehicles, and there was no ill intention on the part of the Sindh government.

Government warns of security threats and alleges organized unrest

Separately, Pakistani Sindh government spokesperson Raja Ansari said in a video statement that organized groups of terrorist elements were active in several areas of Karachi, harassing the public and damaging properties, particularly vehicles. He claimed that police personnel and media representatives were being deliberately targeted.

He said a news vehicle had been stoned and the injury of a journalist was a deeply alarming incident and a blatant attack on press freedom.

Ansari further alleged that the PTI was trying to create chaos and disorder in major cities under an organized Indian agenda, claiming that there was also evidence of Afghan terrorist elements operating under the cover of political rallies. He called for immediate measures to stop what he described as anti-state activities.

He urged the Sindh government to take effective and impartial measures to protect lives and property, ensure safety of journalists and maintain law and order in Karachi.

Meanwhile, Karachi Press Club (KPC) expressed serious concern over the incidents of violence against journalists and vandalism of media vehicles and DSNG units during the PTI rally at Bagh-e-Jinnah.

In a statement, KPC president Fazil Jameeli, secretary Aslam Khan and members of the governing body said that clashes between PTI workers and police during the rally led to journalists being subjected to violence, which they termed as a direct attack on press freedom.

The statement condemned the assault on journalists, cameramen and DSNG operators, as well as the damage to media vehicles, calling them highly reprehensible and contrary to democratic values.

The Karachi Press Club demanded immediate identification of those involved and strict legal action against them, along with compensation for the losses suffered by the affected media houses. He urged the Sindh government and law enforcement agencies to take effective measures to ensure the safety of journalists in the future.