KARACHI: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Sindh President Haleem Adil Sheikh said on Wednesday that holding rallies and peaceful public gathering was their legal right.
This he said while addressing a press conference along with General Secretary Advocate Ali Palh and other party leader at Insaf House Karachi. Mr Sheikh stated that the nation witnessed on February 8th and again on April 21st how blatant rigging took place in the elections. The decisions made by the nation have not been acknowledged, and decision-makers seem deaf to the nation’s heartbeat. The nation is looking towards Imran Khan.
Mr Sheikh reiterated that on February 8th, their mandate was stolen, and on April 21st, a broad daylight robbery occurred on the mandate. Mandates from across Punjab were stolen in the by-elections, he added.
Regarding Bushra Bibi’s health, Mr Sheikh expressed concern, citing reports suggesting her life is in danger. Our Assembly members have submitted a Resolution in the Sindh Assembly demanding immediate personal medical treatment for Bushra Bibi, who is being unfairly targeted to pressurize Imran Khan.
The PTI Sindh chief highlighted that holding rallies and peaceful public gathering was their legal right and said that while the PPP government chanted slogans of democracy, it denied them the right to hold rallies and public gatherings. He said that PTI’s political activities had been restricted. “When we held a rally, Karachi was put under lockdown.” He added they applied for a rally on April 28th, but permission was not been granted yet. “We expect the Sindh High Court to grant us permission on the 26th. Now we will hold public gathering on 5 May at Bagh-e-Jinnah Ground.”
He assured that everyone who voting PTI would join their rally. The rally would take place at Mazar-e-Quaid Ground on May 5th. On April 26th, protests will be held nationwide against rigging, followed by a spiritual foundation day celebration at Insaf House on Thursday. On May 5th, a rally will be held in Karachi. “We stand with the nation, and our struggle will continue until we reclaim our theft mandate,” vowed Mr Sheikh.
Addressing foreign policy, Mr Sheikh lamented that the country’s foreign policy had failed, following which the economy relied solely on charity. He said: “We welcome the visit of the Iranian president. Our relations with Saudi Arabia and Iran were excellent. World leaders consider our leader, Imran Khan, as the leader of the Muslim world.”
He also showed concern over the deteriorating law and order situation in Sindh, particularly in Karachi and said that the target killings had made citizens’ lives and properties unsafe. He said: “The Sindh government has deployed the entire police force behind us. On one hand, there is havoc wreaked by bandits while on the other, all police branches are behind PTI workers.”