KP CM Afridi arrives in Karachi, accuses Sindh of blocking roads despite Bilawal's welcome

• Afridi accuses Sindh government of creating hurdles.
• PTI rally request remains pending, police say.
• Additional security deployed around Mazar-e-Quaid.
  

PTI’s Sindh mobilisation campaign reached its latest flashpoint in Karachi early Monday, with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi accusing the provincial government of obstructing his convoy and forcing it to take alternative routes into the city.

Afridi arrived in the coastal city accompanied by PTI Sindh President Haleem Adil Sheikh as the party continued its mobilisation campaign in Sindh ahead of a planned nationwide protest on September 27.

Addressing PTI workers at the Tando Jam toll plaza before entering Karachi, Afridi said roads had been blocked with containers, forcing his convoy to take an alternative route through rural areas.

“Yesterday Bilawal welcomed us on Twitter, but today the roads have been blocked,” Afridi said, referring to PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari's message welcoming him to Sindh.

He alleged that the Sindh government was behind the road closures and called on Bilawal to clarify who was responsible.

“They have no control over their own chief minister, or is someone else running the government?” Afridi said.

Afridi also criticised the treatment of Karachi, saying the city had long remained deprived while “everyone eats from Karachi”, and accused the government of disregarding court orders.

He further alleged that “two families” had been imposed on Pakistan, as he broadened his criticism of the ruling political establishment.

The PTI leader's remarks came as authorities closed or restricted traffic on several routes in Karachi. Police said the closures were linked to security concerns, with additional security deployed around Mazar-e-Quaid. 

Some routes were later reopened, while traffic remained partially affected on the M-9 and other key roads.

PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja, who also addressed workers in Karachi, said September 27 would be a day for “freedom” and vowed that the party would continue its campaign for what it calls “real freedom”.

Afridi has been leading PTI's five-day mobilisation campaign across Sindh ahead of the September 27 nationwide protest. The campaign is aimed at building support for the party's demands, including the release of PTI founder Imran Khan and his immediate medical treatment.

“The Sindh government is trying to create hurdles for our convoy,” he said, alleging that the authorities were digging pits and placing containers to block their route.

Meanwhile, the Karachi police contacted PTI leaders and informed them of security concerns, according to sources. Police also advised PTI Karachi President Faheem Khan to change the route for travelling towards Shahrah-e-Quaidin.

The PTI had sought permission last month to hold a gathering on Shahrah-e-Quaidin, but permission had not been granted, according to officials. Police said no rally or procession would be allowed and warned that legal action would be taken if a gathering was held without permission.

Speaking in Hyderabad, Afridi also addressed PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari over the restrictions. “My message to Bilawal Zardari is that you should accept that what is happening is being done by your government,” he said.

“If not, then name who is doing it. What you are doing is not the tradition of Sindh,” Afridi added.

He reiterated his commitment to reaching Karachi, saying: “I promise that I will not leave Sindh without reaching Karachi.”

The PTI convoy travelling towards Karachi later reached Kotri, according to the party.

In Karachi, the East district administration decided not to allow gatherings around Shahrah-e-Quaid-e-Azam and Mazar-e-Quaid, according to the deputy commissioner.

The administration said no rally, procession or political activity would be permitted around Mazar-e-Quaid, adding that political activity within 10 feet of the mausoleum’s outer wall was also prohibited by law.

The police said additional personnel had been deployed around Mazar-e-Quaid in view of security concerns.

Traffic police said New MA Jinnah Road and Corridor Three had been closed to traffic, while both carriageways of MA Jinnah Road, the route from Gurumandir towards Numaish Chowrangi and the road from Capri Cinema towards Numaish Chowrangi were also shut.

The road between Allah Wali Chowrangi and Noorani Chowrangi was closed in both directions, while routes from Numaish Chowrangi towards MA Jinnah Road and Corridor Three were also blocked.

The road from Super Highway Zero Point towards Shahrah-e-Pakistan was closed, while some sections of Rashid Minhas Road in Gulshan-e-Iqbal were also shut. Traffic from Water Pump in Federal B Area was being diverted towards Nagan Chowrangi, while traffic from Shafiq Mor was being sent towards Water Pump through Sohrab Goth Underpass.

Traffic was being diverted to alternative routes, with the closures causing significant disruption on surrounding roads, according to traffic police.

PTI leader Jamal Siddiqui said the party had prepared an alternative plan after permission for the gathering was not granted, including specially designed trucks that could serve as temporary stages wherever they stopped.

Meanwhile, Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab said PTI could come to Karachi but warned that no statement against Pakistan would be allowed.

“Pakistan Peoples Party rallies also have containers placed [along routes]. These containers cannot stop political workers from reaching their destination,” Wahab said.