The CM KP Sohail Afridi on Sunday delivered a short speech to PTI rally at Bagh-e-Jinnah that attracted little to no attention. The rally since its beginning saw low turnout. After the speech the CM left the rally and the party workers following him also left. The rally was a complete flop.
Since 4 pm on Sunday, a small group of supporters of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaaf, tried to foster chaos at the Bagh-e-Jinnah, in Karachi.
The rioters were seen throwing stones at police officers, who were in the process of doing their jobs trying to maintain order and protect both protestors and residents.
Two police personnel were hurt in the attacks, authorities also picked up tear gas shells from the crowd.
The rioters turned on a police mobile van and also vandalised a media vehicle with the driver being injured in a deliberate attack on journalists covering the event.
Some of those arrested by police were the later let go. In spite of these incidents the turnout was extremely low with 700 to 800 PTI workers only showing up by 8pm, according to police sources.
The rally concerned, at Bagh-e-Jinnah, was viewed in a broad sense as a flop, and did not generate much public support.
Instead, it induced major disruptions in traffic adding to the daily problems of the people of Karachi.
The rally was regarded by observers as a proof of PTI’s waning popularity. While people noted the irony of the fact that the KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi is in Karachi for political point scoring, as problems continue in his own province.
Observers also stressed the disconnect between the leadership of the party (PTI) and urban voters, noting that Karachi’s citizens were largely indifferent to the theatrics of the party. The poor turn-out on the occasion when combined with the violence and disruptive behaviour, reflected public frustration. Many viewed the exercise as political and lacking in substance and failing to provoke confidence or enthusiasm.
Also read: PTI rioters pelt stones at police during Karachi jalsa
