PTI to hold rally in Karachi on Sept 6, KP CM Sohail Afridi to tour Sindh

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) announced on Thursday its plan to hold a public rally on Shahrah-i-Quaideen in Karachi on September 6. Simultaneously, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi will embark on a four-day visit to Sindh starting September 3, accompanied by the party's central leadership. During a press conference in Karachi, PTI Sindh President Haleem Adil Sheikh confirmed that Afridi and the central leadership would arrive in Sindh on September 3, greeted by a significant welcome at Kamoon Shaheed at 11 am.

The delegation, led by Chief Minister Afridi, would then travel from Jacobabad to Naushehro Feroze on September 4, proceed to Hyderabad on September 5, and reach Karachi on September 6. Sheikh expressed hope that the authorities would permit the rally, stating that even if permission is denied, a rally would still take place in Karachi.

Additionally, large gatherings related to the party's street movement will be held across different cities during Afridi's tour.

PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja emphasized that September 6 would be observed as Defence Day, and the PTI would address the defense of Pakistan and the rights of its people. He also proposed observing September 27 as Democracy Day to protest for the release of party founder Imran Khan, urging people to continue advocating for their rights.

Raja claimed that the country's poor had voted for Imran Khan in the February 8, 2024 general elections, hoping to determine their future, but their mandate had been "stolen." He alleged that PTI candidates had won 21 out of the 22 National Assembly seats in Karachi, while seats won by the party in Lahore and other areas were "taken away."

Raja alleged electoral irregularities, accusing the elections of being marred by "worst rigging" and claiming candidates rejected by voters were subsequently imposed on them.

Raja highlighted the two-tiered system in Pakistan, one benefiting the rich and the other neglecting the poor, citing the deaths of 14 newborn babies at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) as proof of the system's failure. He questioned the direction of the country in the wake of such tragedies and demanded a committee comprising responsible authorities be formed to address the issue.

Raja also expressed concern over around 25 million children in Pakistan currently out of school and warned that Pakistan was wasting the potential of its children. He emphasized that Imran Khan advocates for equal education and opportunities for children from all backgrounds. PTI Secretary General Raja alleged that people who raised their voices were being arrested, and journalists who spoke the truth were being removed from their organizations.

He claimed democracy had never fully flourished in Pakistan and questioned whether the creation of new provinces would resolve Pakistan's political problems.