PTI shifts venue to Mazar-e-Quaid’s public gate due to prolonged delays in authorities’ approval
A combination of photos showing Sindh Local Government Minister Syed Nasir Hussain and PTI Sindh President Haleem Adil Sheikh. Photo: File
In an interesting twist, the Sindh government issued a no-objection certificate (NOC) to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) rally in Bagh-e-Jinnah on Sunday, soon after the party changed its venue to Mazar-e-Quaid’s public gate, citing prolonged delays in authorities’ approval.
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, who arrived in Karachi on Friday for a three-day visit to Sindh, had earlier announced that a meeting would be held at Bagh-e-Jinnah on Sunday, subject to the approval of the provincial government and the local administration.
As permission was not granted on Saturday afternoon, the PTI canceled its plans for Bagh-e-Jinnah and announced that the rally would instead be held at the public gate of Mazar-e-Quaid on Sunday at
Sindh govt. pic.twitter.com/G3lHTMUTF7
— MNA Faheem Khan (@MNAFaheemPTI) 10 January 2026
Addressing a press conference at Bagh-e-Jinnah on Saturday, PTI Sindh President Haleem Adil Sheikh criticized the provincial authorities for what he described as obstruction of the party’s political activities.
Sheikh said that after the announcement of the KP Chief Minister’s Sindh visit, the provincial government offered protocol and security, but the party clarified that it was only seeking constitutional and political freedom to engage with the public.
He said that formal applications had been submitted to the Deputy Commissioner East for permission to hold a gathering at Bagh-e-Jinnah, adding that security fees of Rs 2.5 million were also deposited with the Mazar-e-Quaid Committee.
“Despite fulfilling all legal requirements, no written permission or an NOC was given. At 5.15 pm Bagh-e-Jinnah’s gate was suddenly closed and the police blocked access to equipment,” the PTI Sindh president said.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf returns equipment after canceling Bagh-e-Jinnah rally. Photo: Express
Sheikh announced the change of venue and said that the party would now hold its rally at the public gate of Mazar-e-Quaid on Sunday, January 11 at 14.00 instead of the previously planned at 4 p.m. He said that KP Chief Minister would attend and address the gathering.
He urged the residents of Karachi to participate in a “peaceful and robust” manner. “PTI is a peaceful political party. The whole city witnessed thousands walking out without damaging a single object. The public reception shows that PTI remains at the forefront. Our leader is Imran Khan and we stand for the constitution, democracy and non-violent struggle,” he said.
Sheikh said that the KP Chief Minister and the party delegation are in Sindh to convey Imran Khan’s message to the public through a street movement.
Read more: KP CM Afridi says PTI to hold Karachi rally despite no written approval
Speaking along with PTI Karachi President Raja Azhar, Secretary General Arsalan Khalid, Fahim Khan, Balochistan President Dawood Shah Kakar, Alamgir Khan, Advocate Shujaat Ali Khan and other senior leaders, Sheikh said the reception in Karachi was “proud and historic”.
“On January 9, the people of Karachi demonstrated their support for Imran Khan’s message. It proves that the city has always been and will remain Imran Khan’s stronghold,” he said.
However, the situation took a different turn when the Sindh government gave permission to hold the rally at Bagh-e-Jinnah after PTI arranged the alternative venue.
The Sindh government on Saturday night issued an NOC allowing the PTI to hold a public meeting at Bagh-e-Jinnah. Senior Provincial Minister for Information Sharjeel Inam Memon said the demonstration would take place on Sunday and the NOC had been issued with specific conditions.
According to the conditions, the organizers will be responsible for maintaining law and order during the event. Provocative speech, offensive content and sectarian remarks will not be allowed, while speech against Pakistan or government institutions will also not be allowed.
The organizers will be obliged to ensure a smooth flow of traffic and finish the program within the specified time. The district administration has reserved the right to cancel the permit for security reasons.
Lawlessness will not be tolerated, says Sindh minister
Sindh Minister for Local Government, Housing and Urban Planning Syed Nasir Hussain Shah said all political parties are free to carry out peaceful political activities in the province, but no one will be allowed to take the law into their hands.
Speaking to reporters at the Karachi Expo Centre, Nasir Shah said that the KP Chief Minister represented the mandate of the people of his province and he was given a protocol on the instructions of PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.
He said PTI’s provincial leadership had been clearly informed that blocking roads on the pretext of receptions would not be allowed and warned that the law would take its course if the public was inconvenienced.
Nasir Shah said that Sindh had always been hospitable and that despite political differences with the PTI, there was no personal enmity. He added that efforts are being made to ensure that the KP Chief Minister’s visit to Sindh remains peaceful.
