PTI, MQM clash in Karimabad, police contingents deployed
It is the day of freedom for the people of Karachi, says Asad Umer
KARACHI (Dunya News) – Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) supporters on Thursday have clashed after PTI chairman Imran Khan s address to the participants of the rally. Heavy contingents of police have been deployed in the area to avoid any unforutnate incident.
Imran Khan has reached airport along with his wife to leave for Islamabad after holding the rally in Karachi for the by-election in NA-246 constituency.
While addressing the participants in Karimabad, Imran Khan said that the Jinnah Ground has less capacity to accomodate PTI supporters on April 19. He said that PTI would counter bullets with ballots and peace.
The police have also called a water canon to control the situation. Reportedly, several participants have injured during a series of violent scuffles.
He said that MQM chief Altaf Hussain has double standards. Khan said that MQM had announced welcoming PTI in Karachi but party supporters were attacked. He urged NA-246 people to not get afraid of criminals in the city. Khan said that PTI is a peace-loving party.
PTI chairman said that PTI supporters were tortured by the party that had vowed to welcome them.
2:55 Imran Khan addressed participants of rally in Karimabad
2:49 It is the day of freedom for the people of Karachi: Asad Umer
2:35 Police baton charged parties enraged workers, directed PTI rally to Madni Masjid Road. However, few PTI vehicles reached Mukka Chowk, clash likely.
2:30 Scuffle broke out in Jinnah Ground
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2:19 Imran Khan, Reham attempted to visit Shuhada memorial but retrieved due to the crowd
2:15 Dr Farooq Sattar, Khalid Maqbool Siddique met Khan in Jinnah Ground and conveyed Altaf Hussain s message
2:06 Imran Khan, wife squeezed their way into Jinnah Ground
13:54 Imran Khan has come to Karachi after a very long time: Dr Farooq Sattar
13:43 Rally reached Jinnah Ground, Khan likely to visit PTI election camp
13:41 Reham Khan joined Imran in rally
13:32 PTI rally passed through Gharibabad
13:23 MQM workers discouraged rally, raised go Imran go slogans
13:18 Police seized roads leading to Karimabad
13:11 MQM workers showered flower petals over Khan s motorcade
13:07 Rally reached Hussainabad
13:04 She would have accompanied Khan even if he had resolved to climb K2, said Reham Khan in an exclusive telephonic talk with Dunya News
13:00 Imran Khan waved to MQM workers, barred members from scuffle
12:55 PTI, MQM workers came face to face in Gharibabad
12:51 MQM completed preparations to welcome Khan at Nine-Zero, laid red carpet
12:48 PTI workers barred from entering election camp, demonstrated protest
Earlier, Khan said that PTI is reaching every corner of the country without boundaries. PTI has come to Karachi to clear air of suppression and free people of reign of terror, he added. He said that it is good to hear Altaf Hussain talk about peace for a change.
The rally started from Karsaz and moved towards Gharibabad and later Karimabad. Khan addressed the participants of the rally in Karimabad. Reham Khan joined her husband in the rally. Both were scheduled to have lunch at PTI women wing s president Nadia Rabbani however, they had to cancel it after the situation turned violent.
Khan paid a visit to the PTI camp in Jinnah Ground in Azizabad.
While talking to the media, Reham Khan said that she has come to Karachi for the people of the city. She expressed a resolve to go to door to door to encourage people to overthrow tyranny. She would return to Bani Gala in the evening but only to come back again, she added.
The security has been tightened in the entire city in light of Khan’s arrival. Roads from Ayesha Manzil, Liyaqatabad and Hussainabad which lead to Karimabad have been seized. The shops on the roads banks falling in Khan’s route are also being closed down.
PTI candidate from NA-246, Imran Ismail along with party leadership paid a visit briefly to the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) Shuhada Memorial.
Earlier, PTI secretary general Jahangir Tareen while talking to the media urged the people of the city to come out on the roads without worrying about security issues as the rally is being held for their own good. On the other hand, MQM has decided to welcome PTI in Karachi in all greatness upon the directions of MQM chief Altaf Hussain.
Khan will be invited to MQM headquarters Nine-Zero for lunch while the political affairs in NA-246 have been suspended by the MQM coordination committee.
