KARACHI: The two major political parties, the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Saturday are gearing up for another political face-off, five days after activists of both parties tested their muscles in violent clashes at the Hakim Said Ground in Gulshan-e-Iqbal on Monday night.
It had been reported that the parties jarred over the venue to claim the Hakim Said Ground as their own for the May 12 rallies. However, the leadership of both parties – Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Imran Khan – will now address the crowd at different venues.
Earlier, on Wednesday, the police arrested at least 10 workers from both parties in connection with the clash. Moreover, an FIR was also registered on behalf of the state against several leaders of the parties, including PTI leaders Ali Haider Zaidi, Firdous Shamim Naqvi and Arif Alvi and PPP leaders Waqar Mehdi and Najmi Alam, as well as 600 to 700 workers of both parties.
Several people sustained injuries when clashes erupted between workers of both parties at the Hakim Said ground on Monday.
The camps of both parties were also set ablaze at the venue. Two four-wheelers and one two-wheeler were also set ablaze. The situation came under control after an extra contingent of police and Rangers reached the site and dispersed the political workers.
PPP meeting
All the arrangements have been finalised by the PPP to hold their meeting at Bagh-e-Jinnah near the Quaid’s Mausoleum where the party has arranged 40,000 seats. The ground has been divided into different enclaves for women, men and the media. One gate has been reserved exclusively for women.
The rally that is scheduled to start at 4 pm today will include 1,000 youth volunteers of the party, who are also called Bilawal’s janisars (protectors) who will facilitate people and manage traffic at the site. Meanwhile, the government has arranged around 2,000 policemen to be deployed for the security of the rally.
PTI meeting
The PTI, on the other hand, has selected the Sunday Bazaar Ground near Aladin Park in Gulshan-e-Iqbal as its venue for its May 12 rally.
PTI Chairperson Imran Khan, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Parvez Khattak, Fawad Chaudhry and Shah Mehmood Qureshi will address the gathering and pay tribute to the May 12 martyrs.
The PTI has constructed a 60 feet long, 40 feet wide and 60 feet high stage and the event will start at 7 pm.
This will be the PPP’s second pre-election rally in the city and the PTI’s first.