KARACHI: Pakistan Peoples’ Party (PPP) and Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) workers went in to a head-to head clash that turned the Hakeem Saeed ground into a battlefield Monday night, after which anchorperson Aamir Liaquat Husain reached the Aziz Bhatti police station with ripped clothes.

The newly inducted PTI leader accused PPP workers of tearing apart his clothes and hurling abuses at him, remarking that the ones who claim to provide ‘Roti, Kapra aur Makaan’ are actually involved in the disgraceful act of ripping clothes off.

The clash had erupted in lieu of both the parties wanting to hold rallies at the same venue (Hakeem Saeed ground) on the same day i.e. May 12. However, according to PPP and PTI activists, they had acquired permission to hold their respective rally before the other party.

Soon after, the situation got tense as activists pelted stones and used sticks against each other. Dozens of workers of both the parties got reportedly injured in the clash and several vehicles were set on fire.

Later heavy contingent of police and rangers were called in the area to disburse the angry mob, which removed the camps of both the parties following the directives of Interior Minister. The situation was then brought under control and roads were opened for traffic.

Amidst the entire fiasco, leaders of both parties reached the Aziz Bhatti Police Station to lodge FIRs against each other’s leadership, amongst which was anchorperson Aamir Liaquat too, who reached the station with torn clothes, accusing PPP workers of manhandling him.

Aamir Liaquat requested the police to take prompt notice of the incident, however, it refused to register complaints of both the parties, saying FIR would be registered after a proper investigation only.

May 12, when the rallies are scheduled to be held, is also observed as ‘black day’ following a series of violent clashes between workers of different political parties in 2007 in the metropolis.