Police use shelling, detain PTI activists ahead of Karachi rally

KARACHI (Dunya News) – Police detained more than 30 Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) workers on Sunday after clashes erupted near Numaish Chowrangi ahead of the party’s scheduled public gathering at Bagh-e-Jinnah.

According to police officials, the clashes broke out when PTI workers allegedly stopped a police vehicle and pelted it with stones near Bagh-e-Jinnah. Footage circulating on social media showed protesters damaging the vehicle, while a policeman was reportedly assaulted during the incident.

Police used shelling to disperse the protesters gathered at Numaish Chowrangi. Disturbances were also reported near the VIP gate of Mazar-e-Quaid, where scuffles took place between law enforcement personnel and party workers.

Officials said the detained PTI workers were shifted to a prisoners’ van and further legal action would be taken against those identified in stone-pelting and violence.

The PTI is scheduled to hold a power show at Bagh-e-Jinnah later this evening after obtaining a no-objection certificate (NOC) from the Sindh government. The permission was granted with strict conditions related to law and order.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, who announced the public gathering during his three-day visit to Sindh, accused the provincial administration of creating hurdles during his return from Hyderabad to Karachi.

“We were deliberately diverted to deserted routes, but we have reached Karachi and the rally will be held,” CM Afridi said in a video message.

A PTI spokesperson said the chief minister had left for the venue along with senior party leaders, including PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja and PTI Sindh President Haleem Adil Sheikh. The rally is expected to pass through various routes of the city before reaching Bagh-e-Jinnah.

Meanwhile, Sindh Home Minister Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar warned that strict action would be taken if PTI workers gathered outside the designated venue or blocked roads.

The Sindh government maintained that the district administration reserved the right to cancel the NOC at any stage due to security concerns.

Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon reiterated that speeches against the state and institutions, provocative language, or sectarian remarks would not be tolerated.

Separately, Sindh ministers also criticised PTI leadership, accusing the party of creating unnecessary confrontation ahead of the public gathering.