Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Sindh President Haleem Adil Sheikh on Tuesday accused provincial authorities of deliberately creating obstacles and resorting to police violence during the recent tour of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Suhail Afridi.
Sheikh alleged that the Pakistan Peoples Party-led government made a U-turn and panicked after witnessing a massive public response to the visit.
In a message, Sheikh expressed gratitude to the residents of Sindh for what he termed a ‘glorious and historic’ reception for Mr Afridi, whom he described as a representative of former prime minister Imran Khan. He asserted that the warm welcome proved the people of Sindh continue to stand firmly with the PTI founder.
He stated that during a five-hour public reception stretching from Karachi airport to the press club, the city”s roads, intersections, and main arteries were filled with supporters. According to Sheikh, people emerged from their homes across all districts of Karachi, while gatherings along the Super Highway, Kotri, Jamshoro, and in Hyderabad displayed “unprecedented enthusiasm.”
The PTI Sindh chief highlighted that a huge crowd assembled at Bagh-i-Jinnah without a stage, container, or a formal rally being organised, which he claimed was clear proof of the party”s strong popular and organisational network.
Sheikh alleged that after initially showing a positive attitude, the provincial government deliberately created hurdles. He claimed Mr Afridi was made to wander in Hyderabad for seven hours amid a “drama” over permission for a public meeting, with the necessary No-Objection Certificate not being issued until 5 pm.
He further claimed it was impossible to arrange a rally with 26 containers and thousands of chairs in a single day. He alleged that late at night, around 12:30 am, police engaged in “violence and vandalism” under the pretext of a “fast-track” arrangement.
Describing the situation as unique to Sindh, Sheikh asserted that while government ministers granted permission and the deputy commissioner was prepared to issue the NOC, a local police officer refused to comply with the directives.
He said that despite the entire area being sealed to impede the KP chief minister”s travel to Karachi, large numbers of people turned out, demonstrating that “public power proved stronger than heavy police deployment.”
Sheikh concluded that the visit had injected new momentum into the PTI”s movement, which he vowed would not be allowed to diminish. He added that the party has remained organised and active across the province since the events of May 9.
The PTI Sindh president also thanked the visiting delegation from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, and Balochistan, including cabinet members, MNAs, and MPAs, and apologised for any shortcomings in hospitality on behalf of the province.