The Deputy Commissioner East has granted permission to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to hold a public rally at Bagh-e-Jinnah in Karachi on Sunday, subject to strict conditions.
The party described the gathering as “historic.” The announcement was made by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi during his ongoing three-day visit to Sindh.
Confirming the development, Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon said the no-objection certificate (NOC) had been issued with clear terms. He stressed that the responsibility for maintaining law and order during the rally would rest entirely with the organisers.
انشاءاللہ جلسہ تو ہوگا۔۔!!!
کل چار بجے کے بجائے دو بجے پبلک گیٹ مزار قائد پر خان صاحب کا پیغام لیکر سہیل خان آفریدی صاحب مزارِ قائد پر حاضری کے بعد عوام سے خطاب کریں گے کراچی کی غیور عوام کل نکلیں اور کپتان کے بہادر سپاہی سہیل آفریدی کا بھرپور استقبال کریں pic.twitter.com/6ZsfSfNkD4
— Haleem Adil Sheikh (@HaleemAdil) January 10, 2026Memon said speeches against the country or state institutions would not be permitted. He added that the use of provocative language, objectionable content, or sectarian remarks was strictly banned. The organisers, he said, must also ensure smooth traffic flow in surrounding areas.
The provincial minister further stated that the programme must conclude within the time specified in the NOC. He warned that any violation of the conditions could invite action. He also noted that the district administration retained the right to cancel the permission at any stage due to security concerns.
Meanwhile, PTI Sindh leader Raja Azhar said the party had not yet received the NOC. He added that even if permission was granted, it was now difficult to make arrangements. He said PTI had decided to stage the gathering near the public gate of the Quaid-e-Azam Mausoleum.
عمران خان کا وزیر اعلی✌️❤️ pic.twitter.com/YFsQbTXiso
— Shahid Khattak (@ShahidkhattakSk) January 10, 2026Chief Minister Afridi arrived in Karachi on Friday as part of PTI’s street mobilisation campaign to mark the first anniversary of what the party calls the “fraud” February 8, 2024, elections. Unlike his recent visit to Punjab, where clashes were reported, his first day in Sindh passed without incident.
At Karachi airport, Afridi was received by Pakistan Peoples Party leader Saeed Ghani, who presented him with a Sindhi topi and ajrak. From the airport, the KP chief minister travelled to the Karachi Press Club, where he addressed party workers and journalists.
During a separate address in Jamshoro, Afridi strongly criticised the PPP leadership. He alleged that President Asif Ali Zardari had ended the politics of former prime ministers Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto.
The KP chief minister accused the PPP of altering the Constitution’s basic structure through the 26th and 27th amendments. He said the people of Sindh now wanted change and no longer supported the same leadership. Afridi also claimed that the federal government was occupying power with a “fake mandate.”
He said his struggle was for constitutional supremacy, true democracy, an independent judiciary, free media, and the rule of law. He urged party supporters to prepare for a street movement and remain ready to respond whenever a call was given.
