Federal govt’s spokesperson for Sindh claims Karachi has rejected Imran's street movement

Federal Government Spokesperson for Sindh, Raja Ansari, has stated that Karachi has rejected the founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and demanded that the party should not be granted permission to hold a public rally in the port city.

Speaking at a press conference at the Karachi Press Club, Raja Ansari said that the founder of PTI has been completely rejected by Karachi and that individuals who allegedly support terrorists should not receive public backing.

He urged the Sindh government to deny PTI permission to organise any public gathering in Karachi.

Raja Ansari stated that Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has always practised politics in opposition to dictatorship and that the federal government will only hold dialogue with those elements of PTI who respect the Constitution and the rule of law.

He further claimed that the next Governor of Sindh would be from PML-N.

Referring to PTI’s recent activities, he alleged that the party held the entire city hostage last Friday. “I reviewed the footage yesterday and nowhere were there more than 500 people present,” he said, adding that Afghan nationals were also seen among the participants and that abusive language was used against security institutions.

He further alleged that the public mandate was insulted and claimed that the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa disrespected the mandate of other provinces.

Raja Ansari noted that while the Constitution allows citizens to travel freely across the country, a chief minister is obligated to demonstrate performance within their own province, as they have taken an oath of loyalty to the Constitution and the people.

Raja Ansari also claimed that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa witnessed 5,000 incidents of terrorism in 2025. He said that labelling military operations as terrorism constitutes a violation of oath.

He further alleged that various forms of smuggling are being carried out in the province and claimed that the government is allegedly complicit through the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

“The people of Sindh are not foolish,” he said, adding that ordinary citizens did not come out to welcome PTI.

He urged PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah not to allow PTI to hold a rally, warning that granting permission could set a precedent whereby groups such as the TTP or riverine bandits might also demand permission for public gatherings.

He maintained that permission for rallies should be granted only to political parties and that terrorist elements should not be provided with a conducive environment.