PTI announces Karachi rally next month to begin public engagement drive

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Wednesday announced that it will hold a “massive public rally” in Karachi in November to launch a nationwide public engagement campaign.

According to a party press release, the decision was made during PTI Secretary General Barrister Salman Akram Raja’s visit to Karachi, where he met with party leaders including PTI Sindh President Haleem Adil Sheikh, Parliamentary Leader Shabbir Qureshi, and Jamal Siddiqui.

Discussions during the meetings focused on the prevailing political situation, organisational matters, and strategy for the release of party founder Imran Khan.

Speaking to the media, Raja said the Karachi rally would be followed by similar gatherings in Hyderabad and other major cities as part of the campaign. He added that the party was united and actively working for Khan’s release.

Raja also confirmed that Mahmood Khan Achakzai had been nominated as the opposition leader in the National Assembly, Raja Nasir Abbas in the Senate, and Sohail Afridi as the chief minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, describing these developments as signs of a “political renewal within PTI.”

Reiterating Khan’s message, Raja said the PTI chief had urged supporters to “keep faith in Allah” and continue peaceful efforts for “truth and justice.” He alleged that “delaying tactics” were being used in Khan’s ongoing legal cases but expressed confidence that the party leader would be acquitted.

Raja also criticised the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) government in Sindh, accusing it of corruption and mismanagement. He said citizens across the province were expressing support for PTI and calling for change.

Imran Khan has been imprisoned since August 2023 in a £190 million corruption case and faces additional charges under the Anti-Terrorism Act linked to the May 9 riots.