KARACHI: The Pakistan Peoples Party and Paksistan Tehreek-e-Insaf are at odds over holding a political gathering at the same venue on May 12 in Karachi.
Both parties have announced to hold a rally at the Hakeem Saeed Ground in Gulshan-e-Iqbal area on Main University Road, and have also written to the Deputy Commissioner East seeking permission for holding their rallies.
Addressing a press conference on Monday, PPP leader Saeed Ghani strongly criticised the PTI for their irresponsible behaviour, which has developed an rather uncertain situation. He said that the PPP had sought permission from the DC East on May 4, who had informed him that no political party was organising or has sought permission to hold a political gathering at the venue.
He said the PTI administration in Karachi had decided to hold a rally on May 12 near the VIP Gate of Quaid-e-Azam’s mausoleum. Providing evidence of their announcement, Ghani said that PTI Karachi President Firdous Shamim Naqvi presided over the meeting and Ali Zaidi was made the organiser.
However, he said that PTI has organised a camp at the venue preventing them from making arrangements which was rather unfair. He said the PPP was a responsible party and would organise at a venue where they was no confrontation with other parties.
قانون کے مطابق, جلسے کی درخواست دینے کے بعد پاکستان پیپلزپارٹی کو 12 مئی کو گلشن اقبال میں جلسے کی اجازت مل گئی ہے.
امید ہے PTI کے معاملہ فہم ساتھی مسئلے کو خوش اسلوبی سے حل کریں گے. pic.twitter.com/vOMouCWlL4— Senator Saeed Ghani (@SaeedGhani1) May 7, 2018
He alleged this was evident of a covert alliance between the PTI and the Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) to disrupt and sabotage the political activities of the PPP. He said the MQM was on the run and was visibly disturbed by the holding a successful rally by Bilawal Bhutto Zardari in Liaquatabad last month and has passed over to the PTI.
Ghani further shared that he spoke to PTI spokesman Fawad Chaudhry and explained to him that there should be no chaos. “I asked PTI leaders to think themselves about who is being unfair,” he added.
He said it was politically, legally and morally wrong of the PTI to hold a rally there, and urged them to vacate the venue so they can start arrangements. He vowed the rally will be more successful than the one in Liaquatabad, and PTI was apprehensive that Imran Khan might be disappointed by the turnout in Karachi.
PTI/MQM hidden alliance knows very well PPP will have a huge Jalsa on 12th May & PTI won’t be able to gather Karachiites in their show on 12th. So this anti peace alliance of 2 hate mongers plan to sabotage our Jalsa but they will not succeeded in their ill plans IA.
— Senator Saeed Ghani (@SaeedGhani1) May 7, 2018
On the hand the PTI was adamant to hold the political gathering at the same venue. PTI leader Haleem Adil Shaikh said that they do not want create any confrontation with the PPP.
He called on the civil administration to intervene and resolve the dispute. He maintained that they had made announcement first, and that Imran Khan would be coming over and they would hold the rally at the same venue.
PTI’s Khurram Sher Zaman said they will hold their rally at Hakeem Ground on May 12 at any cost. He said the PPP is using force to suppress political activities. Ali Zaidi said that PPP can use public resources and taxpayer’s funds but the people of Karachi have rejected them.
