Police action disrupts PTI rally in Korangi

Various leaders of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) were arrested and some others injured on Sunday as police tried to stop a party rally demanding release of the party founder Imran Khan.

The PTI organised the rally in Korangi No 1.5 as part of the party’s nationwide campaign demanding Khan’s release. The rally was attended by prominent PTI figures, including its Sindh president Haleem Adil Sheikh, Karachi President Raja Azhar, General Secretary Arsalan Khalid, former MNA Faheem Khan, Rizwan Niazi, Wali Mugheri, MPA Wajid Ali, MPA Chodhary Awais, Sajid Mir, Advocate Haris Mevo, Mozzam Khan, Yasir Baloch, Ayesha Rashid and others.

According to a statement issued by the PTI, the party had planned a peaceful rally but it turned violent when a heavy contingent of police arrived and used force against the peaceful participants.

As a result, Azhar, Khalid and more than a dozen others were injured. Police also arrested PTI MPA Wajid Hussain, Khalid, Niazi, Mevo and over two dozen other workers and shifted them to an undisclosed location.

The Sindh PTI president condemned the police action stating that holding a peaceful protest was a legal and constitutional right of every Pakistani citizen. He criticised the Sindh government, accusing it of establishing a civilian dictatorship under the guise of democracy.

Sheikh emphasized that the protest aimed at securing the release of Khan, whom he described as a great leader imprisoned on false charges. He asserted that the movement of the PTI would continue and police violence would not demoralise PTI workers.

The Karachi PTI president also blamed the police for violence and arrests. He suggested that a third party wanted to incite violence similar to the May 9 incident but maintained that the PTI would remain peaceful.