KARACHI: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan People's Party (PPP) have decided to hold their May 12 rallies at different venues after the horrific clash at University Road on Monday night, creating panic among the residents of the area as dozens workers of both parties were injured and several vehicles were torched in the incident.
Karachiites will not want reminding that night when PTI and PPP clash turned Hakeem Saeed Shaheed playground into a battlefield. However, the tug of war came to an end after both the parties decided not to hold their upcoming public meeting at Hakeem Saeed Ground.
Earlier, PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, in a tweet, had asked Imran Khan for holding the PTI rally at the venue on which earlier both the parties were at loggerheads.
In his Twitter statement, Bilawal also shared 9-point fact-sheet about Monday’s violent clash, saying he has decided to change his rally’s venue in the interest of peace in Karachi.
Later, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) announced to hold its May 12 rally near Aladdin Park in Karachi, while PPP would organise its gathering at Bagh-e-Jinnah opposite the Mazar-e-Quaid on the same date.
Following are Bilawal’s nine facts
Fact 1: May 12, 2007 - PPP‘s 14 innocent unarmed workers were martyred struggling for the restoration of judiciary.
Fact 2: To pay tribute to our martyrs PPP planned to hold a jalsa at Hakeem Saeed ground in district East, as most lives were lost in District East. We applied for and received all necessary legal permissions.
Fact 3: PTI always said they would hold a jalsa at Mazar-e-Quaid on 12th May - not that they have anything to commemorate.
Fact 4: While our preparations were on-going, PTI arbitrarily changed their jalsa venue and set up a camp at our ground - which was a provocative step.
Fact 5: Stones were thrown at PPP workers from PTI’s camp. Our trucks were set on fire. PTI leader’s guards fired weapons. More than 20 workers sustained considerable injuries.
Fact 6: To attack us in such a way on this tragic day, is a sad commentary on the fascist tendencies of PTI.
Fact 7: I call for a complete enquiry to hold all those responsible accountable.
Fact 8: PTI has shown such an appalling attitude. However in the interest of peace in Karachi, which we have fought so hard for, I not only ask my Party to find another location, but also invite @ImranKhanPTI to hold his jalsa at Hakeem Saeed ground.
Fact 8: PTI has shown such an appalling attitude. However in the interest of peace in Karachi, which we have fought so hard for, I not only ask my Party to find another location, but also invite @ImranKhanPTI to hold his jalsa at Hakeem Saeed ground.
Fact 9: Karachi is our city - we can hold a jalsa anywhere.