Afridi vows to reach Karachi despite Sindh govt’s ‘hurdles’

• Afridi accuses Sindh government of creating hurdles.
• PTI rally request remains pending, police say.
• Additional security deployed around Mazar-e-Quaid.
  

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has vowed to reach Karachi despite alleged hurdles placed by the Sindh government, saying he will not leave the province without visiting the port city.

“[No matter] the hurdles they create along the way, I will still reach Karachi,” Afridi said while addressing PTI workers at Tando Jam in Hyderabad.

Afridi is in Sindh as part of the party’s outreach ahead of its planned long march to Islamabad.

Speaking at the Tando Jam toll plaza, Afridi said Sindh had a tradition of welcoming guests but alleged that the provincial government was attempting to obstruct his convoy.

“The Sindh government is trying to create hurdles for our convoy,” he said, alleging that the authorities were digging pits and placing containers to block their route.

Meanwhile, the Karachi police contacted PTI leaders and informed them of security concerns, according to sources. Police also advised PTI Karachi President Faheem Khan to change the route for travelling towards Shahrah-e-Quaidin.

The PTI had sought permission last month to hold a gathering on Shahrah-e-Quaidin, but permission had not been granted, according to officials. Police said no rally or procession would be allowed and warned that legal action would be taken if a gathering was held without permission.

Speaking in Hyderabad, Afridi also addressed PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari over the restrictions. “My message to Bilawal Zardari is that you should accept that what is happening is being done by your government,” he said.

“If not, then name who is doing it. What you are doing is not the tradition of Sindh,” Afridi added.

He reiterated his commitment to reaching Karachi, saying: “I promise that I will not leave Sindh without reaching Karachi.”

The PTI convoy travelling towards Karachi later reached Kotri, according to the party.

In Karachi, the East district administration decided not to allow gatherings around Shahrah-e-Quaid-e-Azam and Mazar-e-Quaid, according to the deputy commissioner.

The administration said no rally, procession or political activity would be permitted around Mazar-e-Quaid, adding that political activity within 10 feet of the mausoleum’s outer wall was also prohibited by law.

The police said additional personnel had been deployed around Mazar-e-Quaid in view of security concerns.

Traffic police said New MA Jinnah Road and Corridor Three had been closed to traffic, while both carriageways of MA Jinnah Road, the route from Gurumandir towards Numaish Chowrangi and the road from Capri Cinema towards Numaish Chowrangi were also shut.

The road between Allah Wali Chowrangi and Noorani Chowrangi was closed in both directions, while routes from Numaish Chowrangi towards MA Jinnah Road and Corridor Three were also blocked.

The road from Super Highway Zero Point towards Shahrah-e-Pakistan was closed, while some sections of Rashid Minhas Road in Gulshan-e-Iqbal were also shut. Traffic from Water Pump in Federal B Area was being diverted towards Nagan Chowrangi, while traffic from Shafiq Mor was being sent towards Water Pump through Sohrab Goth Underpass.

Traffic was being diverted to alternative routes, with the closures causing significant disruption on surrounding roads, according to traffic police.

PTI leader Jamal Siddiqui said the party had prepared an alternative plan after permission for the gathering was not granted, including specially designed trucks that could serve as temporary stages wherever they stopped.

Meanwhile, Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab said PTI could come to Karachi but warned that no statement against Pakistan would be allowed.

“Pakistan Peoples Party rallies also have containers placed [along routes]. These containers cannot stop political workers from reaching their destination,” Wahab said.