PPP, PTI vying for same venue to hold May 12 public meetings in Karachi

The Pakistan Peoples Party has announced that it will hold its next big public meeting in Karachi on May 12 in Gulshan-e-Iqbal, however, the announcement has created a potential conflict with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, which also intends to hold a public meeting that day and, interestingly, at the same venue – Hakeem Mohammad Said playground.

After the huge power show at Tanki Ground, Liaquatabad – a traditionally Muttahida Qaumi Movement stronghold – on April 29, the PPP is now preparing for its second such meeting to be addressed by party chief Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on May 12 – the coming Saturday. The president of PPP’s District East chapter has already sent a letter to the deputy commissioner east to obtain permission to hold the gathering.

The letter dated May 4 names the Hakim Mohammad Said playground, located between Federal Urdu University and Masjid Baitul Mukarram on main University Road, as the proposed venue for the public meeting.

According to the letter, PPP chief Bilawal, Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah and other senior leaders of the party will address the gathering. Interestingly, by Saturday evening, the PTI had established a large camp at the same venue in Gulshan-e-Iqbal, featuring large portrait pictures of party leaders, its flag and the party’s anthem blaring in amplifiers. Leaders of PTI Karachi say that PTI Chairman Imran Khan would address the May 12 gathering to be held in Gulshan.