Spokesperson for the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (Government of Pakistan) for Sindh Affairs, Barrister Raja Khaliq-uz-Zaman Ansari on Saturday demanded that the Sindh government withdraw permission granted to PTI for holding a public gathering at Bagh-e-Jinnah on Sunday, stating that allowing a party with an “anti-state narrative” to hold a rally was unacceptable.
Addressing a press conference at the Karachi Press Club, Barrister Ansari said that terming a military operation as “hooliganism” was equivalent to betrayal of the constitutional oath and the state of Pakistan. He remarked that permitting supporters of terrorists to organize rallies could set a precedent where even criminals, including riverine dacoits, might seek similar permissions.
He claimed that Karachi was held hostage for nearly six hours a day earlier by a rally consisting of fewer than 500 participants, most of whom, he alleged, were non-local individuals, including Afghan nationals. He said the people of Sindh had rejected the rally by not participating in it.
Barrister Ansari criticized the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister for allegedly labeling the mandate of other political parties as fake, stating that such remarks amounted to disrespect toward voters of Sindh, Punjab, Balochistan, and Gilgit-Baltistan. He said that after taking oath as chief minister, loyalty to the Constitution and respect for public mandate should be the top priority.
He urged the Sindh government, President Asif Ali Zardari and PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari not to allow the PTI leadership to hold a rally at Bagh-e-Jinnah, asserting that there was no difference between those promoting an anti-state narrative and criminal elements.
Commenting on traffic disruption during the rally on Shahrah-e-Faisal, Barrister Ansari questioned the Traffic Police’s role, asking why e-challans were not issued against rally participants who allegedly violated traffic laws by standing on vehicles. “Are traffic laws only meant for the poor?” he questioned, calling for action against all violators without discrimination.
On talks with PTI, Barrister Ansari said that while the federal government was still willing to negotiate with constitutional forces, the group within PTI allegedly acting as facilitators of terrorism would face a grand operation. He added that Prime Minister’s offer for dialogue was only for those who respected the Constitution. He also hinted that a new governor of Sindh would soon be appointed from Pakistan Muslim League-N, terming it “good news” for the people of the province.
Ghulam Sarwar Tanio, Zubair Butt, Afzal Khan, and other party officials and workers were also present at the press conference.