PPP, PTI change venue from Hakeem Saeed Ground for rallies on May 12

KARACHI: Following a bloody clash last night over holding a public gathering on the same date and at the same venue, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) both on Tuesday announced to change the venue from Hakeem Muhammad Saeed Ground “in the best interest of the residents of Karachi”, ARY News reported.

Political workers of the PPP and PTI came to blows after a dispute over venue for May 12 rallies which turned violent here in Karachi’s Hakeem Saeed ground on Monday night.

What seemed like a short face-off, soon turned into a full fledged clash as both parties’ workers started throwing stones at each other while some unknown men set fire to the vehicles parked at the roadside.

Talking to media outside Commissioner Karachi Office, PTI’s Firdous Shameem Naqvi said, “For the sake of peace in Karachi we extend offer to the PPP that neither we are holding meeting in Hakeem Saeed Ground nor it should hold a gathering there.”

کراچی میں امن کی خاطر ہم پیپلز پارٹی کو یہ آفر کررہے ہیں کہ حکیم سعید گراؤنڈ میں ہم بھی وہاں جلسہ نہیں کررہے ہیں اور آپ بھی وہاں جلسہ نہ کریں۔ فردوس شمیم نقوی کی کمشنر آفس کے باہر میڈیا سے گفتگو۔#کراچی_مانگے_انصاف pic.twitter.com/fh6dkNnQF0

— PTI Karachi Official (@PTI_KHI) May 8, 2018

On the other hand, Chairman PPP Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has invited PTI Chairman Imran Khan to hold public meeting at Hakeem Saeed Ground on May 12 and asked the PPP Karachi Division to find another location to hold the meeting.

Later, the PTI announced to hold the rally on May 12 at Aladin Park Ground. While the PPP has announced to organise the gathering the same day at Bagh e Jinnah ground opposite to Quaid’s Mausoleum.

Bilawal in a statement said, “While our preparations were on-going, PTI arbitrarily changed their jalsa venue and set up a camp at our ground – which was a provocative step.

“Stones were thrown at PPP workers from PTI’s camp. Our trucks were set on fire. PTI leader’s guards fired weapons. More than 20 workers sustained considerable injuries. I call for a complete enquiry to hold all those responsible accountable,” he said.

The PTI has shown such an appalling attitude, however, in the interest of peace in Karachi, which we have fought so hard for, I invite Imran Khan to hold his rally at Hakeem Saeed ground, said the chairman PPP.