Imran Khan, addressing a rally at Karachi’s Star Gate area, said that his party wants to a see a united Karachi. He also said that the people in the metropolis are being divided.
He asked that which democratic country stops a party chairman from interacting with the people. He claimed that if cases are filed over the statements he made then it will be a stain on the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) not him.
“Why am I being stopped from announcing my manifesto”, Khan asked. “We will stand up for our rights.”
The Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman said that he and the nation does not accept the election commission and alleged the ECP of destroying the country.
The PTI chief made an unexpected announcement to end the rally at Jail Chowrangi.
According to plan, PTI and JI rallies were to culminate at Mazar-e-Quaid passing through Shahrah-e-Faisal, Shah Faisal Colony, Gulistan Jauhar, Nipa Roundabout and Patel Para areas.
Yet, the workers and supporters of PTI dispersed following the announcement by Imran Khan, whereas JI emir Sirajul Haq continued to march towards Mazar-e-Quaid.
The unexpectedly parting of ways and announcement of ending the rally led to a confusing situation.
When asked, PTI leader Imran Ismail said he was not aware of Sirajul Haq heading towards Mazar e Quaid.
According to him, the JI emir was to board a flight to Lahore after the announcement of cancellation of the rally.
5th December will be a day of revolution: Siraj
Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Chief Siraj-ul-Haq has claimed that 5th December will be a day of revolution in Karachi.
He added that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and JI will make Karachi so peaceful that Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) Chairman Altaf Hussain will feel safe in it.
He added that status-quo has to be defeated on the election day.
The JI Chief added that a group has been occupying the metropolis for 30 years.
“We want to heal this city”, Haq said.
Imran Khan arrives in Karachi
Imran Khan’s plane had landed at Karachi airport and his supporters were waiting for him there.
Today’s rally is being held just days before next week’s crucial local elections in Karachi. According to the PTI, the route will be Airport, Stargate, Rashid Minhas Road, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Hasan Square and on to the Quaid’s Mazar.
A senior PTI leader from Karachi, Imran Ismail, has said that if any attempt was made to stop today’s planned rally at the Quaid’s Mazaar in Karachi, to be addressed jointly by PTI chief Imran Khan and Jamaat-e-Islami chief Sirajul Haq, then it will not stop.
Mr Ismail said that permission had been sought in writing from Karachi’s administration but that no response had been forthcoming. Despite that, he said, the rally will continue to its destination and that it would be a mistake to stop the rally.
Meanwhile, Karachi commissioner Shoaib Siddiqi told ARY News that it would very difficult to let such a rally take place because of security reasons and that permission had not been given.
Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf and Jamaat-e-Islami activists were eagerly awaiting their respective party chiefs at Star Gate, to arrive in the city to lead their combined rally. Both leaders are expected to arrive in the city shortly.
Imran Khan and Siraj-ul-Haq will jointly lead the rally, in a move to raise the morale of their supporters.
Chairman @ImranKhanPTI arrival at Karachi airport; the support is junooni #IKunitesKhi pic.twitter.com/aMWZ3udd7q
— PTI (@PTIofficial) November 28, 2015
PML-N candidates are also active and attempting to make a mark in the elections. A rally was also taken out from the city’s Patel Para area to Numaish. PML-N leaders said that the electoral result will prove that PML-N’s supporters were present even in Karachi.
Meanwhile, the MQM is conducting corner meetings and Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) will also be taking out a rally. The party is also conducting corner meetings and taking out rallies.
