In a recent development, the local authorities denied permission to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) for public meeting during the visit of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister (CM) Sohail Afridi in Karachi citing security concerns, officials confirmed.
According to local media reports, the district administration said security assessments did not allow approval for a large political gathering near sensitive locations in Karachi at this time.
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It is pertinent to mention here that PTI Karachi President Raja Azhar formally requested permission through a written application submitted to the Deputy Commissioner East, proposing a public meeting at Bagh-e-Jinnah site on Sunday, January 11.
The media report suggested that the administration conveyed its decision informally, advising the party that prevailing law and order conditions could not support crowd management arrangements effectively.
READ: PTI seeks permission for rally during KP CM visit in Karachi
Despite the refusal, party officials began considering alternative options to mobilise workers, including symbolic activities and smaller processions around the Mazar-e-Quaid vicinity during visit period, the report added.
The party workers from different districts likely to gather nearby, while leadership addresses supporters briefly after paying respects at the Mazar-e-Quaid mausoleum.
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Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi is scheduled to visit Karachi this weekend, with provincial administrations coordinating protocol arrangements to ensure a smooth, constitutionally compliant programme overall.
Earlier reports suggested Sindh authorities had assured cooperation for the visit, stressing that political engagement would be facilitated within legal and security parameters as required.
