PTI, JI chiefs canvass support for LG polls with Karachi rally

E-Paper | July 30, 2026

KARACHI: The joint rally by the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) and Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) in Karachi on Saturday ended before reaching its announced destination of Quaid-i-Azam's mausoleum.

The rally ended in the Jail Chowrangi area of the metropolis, as PTI and JI did not have permission from the city's administration.

Earlier in the day, PTI chairman Imran Khan and JI chief Sirajul Haq were leading a joint rally in Karachi to canvass for support in the upcoming local bodies elections in the metropolis.

Commissioner Karachi Shoaib Ahmed Siddiqui however said the political parties do not have the city administration's permission to hold a rally at Quaid-i-Azam's mausoleum.

"The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) should take note of this event and take necessary action against the political parties for holding the rally," said Siddiqui.

Local body elections in Karachi are scheduled for December 5.

For the third phase of local body polls, PTI and JI have formed an alliance in Karachi to contest the elections.

The caravan of supporters from both the parties were moving through Sharah-i-Faisal, and had planned to culminate with a rally at Quaid-i-Azam's mausoleum.

Imran Khan and Sirajul Haq were both addressing their supporters as the rally moved gradually through the main artery of Karachi.

Earlier in November, PTI chairman Imran Khan arrived in Sindh on a two-day visit ahead of the second phase of local body polls in the province and toured the areas of Tando Allah Yar, Tando Jam and Umerkot district.

During the second phase of the polls, PPP gained a majority of seats in Sindh, with the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) achieving considerable success in Hyderabad district. The Zulfiqar Mirza-led splinter group also managed to sweep the polls in Badin district, a traditional stronghold of the PPP.

During the first phase of LG polls, the ruling PML-N had secured a thumping majority by bagging 1,192 posts of UC chairman/vice-chairman, with independents (mostly Leaguers) gaining second position with 1,065 seats.

The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) could secure only 285 seats, while some upsets were also reported in various areas in 12 districts on Saturday.

Former ruling parties, PPP and PML-Q, clinched only 47 and 44 UCs, respectively. Jamaat-i-Islami and Dr Tahirul Qadri’s Pakistan Awami Tehreek had bagged two seats each.

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Saeed Masood

Nov 28, 2015 07:34pm

MQM has cast of Cult on Karachi and the Mahajirs...it will not be easy to break the shackles..

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Muslim Medina

Nov 28, 2015 07:43pm

Let us see if Karachi administration will charge JI and PTI leaders if they go ahead and take out the rally as planned.

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M.Saeed

Nov 28, 2015 07:48pm

See who is talking and not walking together! PTI and JI have only "I" in common and even that not with a common perspective! A staunch fundamentalist Muslim outfit can never be the bed-fellow with a new-breed secular conformist of zero religious mandate.

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KARACHI WALA

Nov 28, 2015 07:54pm

As long as IK joins hands with JI or any other religious party, it will be another road to destruction. Whether MQM or PTI/JI, citizens of Karachi will remain hostage.

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Khan- Pakistani

Nov 28, 2015 08:02pm

Its the alliance of opportunists hatched to steal the genuine mandate but will be defeated by the people of Karachi.

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Khan- Pakistani

Nov 28, 2015 08:02pm

@Saeed Masood It is now the matter of existence for us .

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M. Emad

Nov 28, 2015 08:03pm

PTI turns into the B-team of Jamaat-i-Islami.

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Khan- Pakistani

Nov 28, 2015 08:03pm

A rally by JI and PTI without permission is ok but by MQM ended in blockade and FIRs.

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Khan- Pakistani

Nov 28, 2015 08:06pm

PTI and JI have two things in common. One is their love for Taliban and second is their hatred for MQM and its supporters.

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M Taimur

Nov 28, 2015 08:06pm

MQM was not allowed to carry out rally. If JI and PTI is allowed then this is unfair and can be regarded as rigging.

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Najam

Nov 28, 2015 08:07pm

Karachi will reject taliban supporting parties.

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Khan- Pakistani

Nov 28, 2015 08:09pm

Two party chiefs agsinst the local leaderships of MQM , where AH is not allowed to address the public through live media . What a fair game !

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Nov 28, 2015 08:12pm

The all concerned forces are trying their utmost effort (and probably last) to break MQM unity in order to take over Karachi. See PTI and JI both have made unnatural alliance. We all have to accept this reality that MQM is a real party from the masses and their leaders and workers are from within them. People like to see their leaders who look like them, talk like them, walk and even eat like them. Eventually Karachi will vote for MQM whether we like or not.

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Safeer

Nov 28, 2015 08:17pm

All Pakistanis are watching how MQM is being openly discriminated. A couple of days ago MQM rally was blocked and stopped at different places by the forces, but PTI/JI alliance has been given free hand and this is how MQM is getting more popularity and strength. I do not know who is making that 'sensible and intelligent' strategy to curb MQM.

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Nasir

Nov 28, 2015 08:26pm

We all know both PTI and JI. MQM has been saying from the beginning that PTI and JI are two faces of the same coin and LB elections have justified it. What if both the parties are lost in the election and MQM wins? Would they be out of the city taking their dirt with them?

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Shahid

Nov 28, 2015 08:28pm

PTI always creates hype before every election, but we all know the outcome of the elections. It seems ridiculous to see both IK and SH together on a truck!!

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nkhan

Nov 28, 2015 08:33pm

This is now shows what MQM is fear about , the alliance of JI and PTI , both establishment backed parties .That also shows how much Karachi rule is important for the country.Arrest all MQM active workers for operation and all JI and PTI workers are the best in class with no criminal involvement.I still believe this alliance will give Karaciites tilt more towards MQM.

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Israr

Nov 28, 2015 08:40pm

Good decision

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Sadia

Nov 28, 2015 08:40pm

Just a show, MQM will win with a 90% mandate. Why waste time JI and PTI ?

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Nadeem M

Nov 28, 2015 08:45pm

Change is needed in Karachi and only PTI can bring that change.

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Abdulla Hussain

Nov 28, 2015 08:50pm

Unless the Muhajirs of Karachi to be specific are not convinced about the non invasion of Karachi by peoples of other provinces especially KPK, PTI, JI, PMLN or for that reason any other party will not gain the confidence of the majority voters in Sindh urban areas especially Karachi & Hyderabad. MQM will continue to rule. All political slogans are on one side & inhouse security of the majority living in Karachi & Hyderabad on other side. Any party able to convince that Muhajirs will continue to live peacefully & will not get intimidated by others will gain confidence of the local voters. This is a curtain riser for all to understand.

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Karachitee

Nov 28, 2015 08:58pm

@Nadeem M You mean "change" same as in KPK! then good luck. How can Imran Khan can come to Karachi with those whose leaders once said that if our army person died in fighting with Taliban they can not be called "shaheed".

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M Jamal

Nov 28, 2015 09:01pm

People's verdict on 5th Dec' 2015 will be a litmus test that despite all negativities and baseless propoganda against MQM,they are the true representatives of Karachites and Hyderabad.Those now with biased opinion against MQM must accept the reality of vote power as conspiracies are always destructive for the nation.JI and PTI now represent some of the settlers from KP in Karachi.

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Rickshaawwala

Nov 28, 2015 09:16pm

I will prefer PTI JI over MQM because i want to live freely in Karachi not as a hostage.

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Rex Minor

Nov 28, 2015 09:18pm

PTI is smart, that is why I support them, they have eaten JUIF's vote bank, and now they are eating JI's vote bank. They are also in the process of eating PPP's vote bank in Punjab, I feel after the next elections, PTI will disassociate from JI completely.

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Sad

Nov 28, 2015 09:28pm

@Rex Minor this is the thing MQM dont know because PTI is a National Party not a cast based minority exploiters.Pti will win on a Pakistan level.

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Asif

Nov 28, 2015 09:30pm

In my honest opinion PTI and JI have no plans for the people of Karachi and their main focus of speech is hatred of MQM. It appears both the parties consider MQM is the cause of all problems whether it is unemployment, scarcity of water, electricity, health, destruction of infrastructure, roads, bridges etc. etc. They do not speak of solution of any of the problems because they do not have any plan. People of Karachi are not villagers who vote to their masters. We people see who talks for us and our problems and who stands with us in difficult times. MQM will rule with more people power and support and soon the world will witness it.

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Saeed Masood

Nov 28, 2015 09:43pm

@Khan- Pakistani ...There is nothing wrong with MQM...the Mahajir population of Karachi will have to find new honest and good people to lead the way...

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Jazib

Nov 28, 2015 09:55pm

Keep trying Imran Khan. Inshallah Karachi will respond.

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Khan- Pakistani

Nov 28, 2015 09:57pm

@Saeed Masood The recent results of Mirpurkhas and Hyderabad is not enough ? What evidence and proofs you need ? Do angels need to appear to convince you guys ?

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Javed Khan

Nov 28, 2015 09:57pm

@Saeed Masood People of Karachi are well educated and equipped with intelligence in order to elect their representatives. No one should dictate them what is right and what is wrong, who to elect and who to reject. People of Karachi are well aware of their rights and now they have decided to get their due rights from the corrupt, nefarious, uncouth politicians in the form of new province and it is imminent.

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Salam

Nov 28, 2015 09:59pm

@Khan- Pakistani well said..

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Cyrus

Nov 28, 2015 10:07pm

Who is going to stop such a rally?

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Sab Se Pehle Pakistan

Nov 28, 2015 10:07pm

This alliance of PTI (Combination of PML-N and PPP) and JI (Combination of banned outfits) will be God willing defeated just like the 11 parties alliance got defeated in Hyderabad. The third umpire will not be able to help you. People of urban sindh very well knows who are their true representatives are, and will vote for MQM as always. Urban Sindh was, is and will always be with MQM.

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thought

Nov 28, 2015 10:35pm

This is what happened when institute get politicised, the election commission lost its credibility and parties are taking decision by themselves.

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Saeed Masood

Nov 28, 2015 11:00pm

The change in Karachi cannot be brought by any party may it be PTI, JI, PPP or MQM it can only be brought by the people of Karachi that even with Love and Friendship and living peacefully together...Like the pre 1970 Karachi

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Jalbani Baloch

Nov 28, 2015 11:06pm

PTI workers should go home to home and convince the people of Karachi that PTI can bring back peace to Karachi, since it is the party of all Pakistani people. Karachi is a cosmopolitan city and it needs a leader like Imran Khan, who is very much committed and determined to liberate Pakistan from the clutches of corrupt and statuesque parties, who are running and ruining the country from very long time. Rise up Karachities and support PTI.

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faisal

Nov 28, 2015 11:26pm

@Rex Minor 80% of UCs have ji candidate in this case ji will grab pti mandate in karachi if any left

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faisal

Nov 28, 2015 11:29pm

pti and ji alliance not is so pathetic its not working for even one day how they supposed to work it out to run this big city.

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PHILOSOPHER (from Japan)

Nov 28, 2015 11:39pm

@Jalbani Baloch Sorry dear PTI is a party of only clifton and defence. PTI and JI have a common thing i.e. sympathy for taliban and banned outfit that is why their leaders IK and SH never condemned the attack on our innocent kids in APS Peshawar even IK got married right after that massacre. I hope people of Karachi being educated and well aware about politics will not elect any element that can be harmful for their kid's future. PTI supporters and leadership are started writing placards of RIGGING ALLEGATIONS as always. God bless you all.

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Khan- Pakistani

Nov 28, 2015 11:59pm

@Saeed Masood Pre 1970 Karachi or pre 1970 Pakistan , both are gone. Can not come back !

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Jalbani Baloch

Nov 29, 2015 12:11am

@PHILOSOPHER (from Japan): PTI is only a national level party, which exists in all four provinces of Pakistan and struggle for the rights of poor and deprived sections of people of Pakistan. PTI does not represent any specific group or section of people, whereas all other political parties, who claim to be national level parties, make politics on regional basis. The caravan of Imran Khan, which started from KPK is slowly and gradually engulfing the whole country, but sadly the politics of hatred based on ethnicity is slowing the progress. The people of Punjab are responding to IK, the people of Sindh are also awaiting for the change, whereas the people of Balochistan, who traditionally give oath of allegiance to their Sardars wants IK to lead the nation. So, if the element of fear disappears in Karachi, PTI will be the winning party.

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Philosopher (from Japan)

Nov 29, 2015 12:26am

@Jalbani Baloch sorry dear it looks you are unaware of LG election results of 2015. So called national level party ( PPP was also a national level party sometimes in the history) have tasted a humiliating defeat in all three provinces. Stubborn kinda attitude of PTI supporters as well as their leadership doesn't allow them to see the writing on walls. Regarding your point of FEAR in Karachi, do you think it's more than FEAR in KPK with the existence of talibans type extremists. If not than go and clear the mess in the place whose governance is already given to PTI rather than asking more powers. I hope if you will analyze the politics of Pakistan without any prejudice things will be cleared in your mind. God bless you all.

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waleed KARACHI

Nov 29, 2015 12:51am

MQM will win.....the real voice of karachi

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saeeds

Nov 29, 2015 01:19am

@KARACHI WALA people of karachi have all kind of choices. They pick slavery it is there choice they come on street with there party flag it is there choice. There are thousand of people who don't worship MOM or JI or other parties they are in small number but it only prove no one from outside controlling people it is just there choice .

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Madeeha Mahmood

Nov 29, 2015 01:38am

JI is the only Democratic Party in the country who has complete process of elections within their ranks and JI chief gets changed and elected every few years. JI and PTI combination can do great wonders for Karachi. We all remember with respect the services of Naimat ulla Khan as mayor Karachi

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Haque Parast

Nov 29, 2015 01:44am

@Cyrus since it is not MQM's rally nobody will even try to stop the rally. They can attack govt institutes, cut the barriers with chain cutters and cranes, attack police vans to free thier supporters, dance, sing and use loudspeakers for millions of rupees but nobody will stop them, because they are not MQM.

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Nazir Ahmed

Nov 29, 2015 02:01am

PTI joined hands with the most disliked party of Karachi, they will definitely been defeated by margins.

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shair khan

Nov 29, 2015 03:30am

PTI and JI will not be charged like MQM.

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excuse me

Nov 29, 2015 03:33am

@Philosopher (from Japan) you dont know how peaceful is new kpk and you live in Japan.

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murielbolongo

Nov 29, 2015 04:22am

@Khan- Pakistani who cares?

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Khan- Pakistani

Nov 29, 2015 06:50am

If PTI lost elections in Punjab, Baluchistan and in interior Sindh then who could save them from defeat in Karachi ?

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aamir

Nov 29, 2015 07:06am

@Saeed Masood So accept defeat

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aamir

Nov 29, 2015 07:08am

@Khan- Pakistani For Karachi B team while for KPK not even C team

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PHILOSOPHER (from Japan)

Nov 29, 2015 09:17am

@excuse me By the same token, IK doesn't know the people of Karachi and their problems while living in BANI-GALA. Stop trying fool Karachi people who are most educated in the whole country. Such tactics might work on peasants in villages but not in Karachi on Karachi people who are well-aware of whole political situations even better than IK and company.

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Saeed Masood

Nov 29, 2015 10:03am

@Khan- Pakistani ...Because Karachi is hostage in hands of criminals and back mailers...The people of Karachi will have to break these shackles and come out in the free and healthy world... this can only be done by the Karachites alone not the Mahajirs or any party...everybody who lives in Karachi will have to participate...this will happen sooner than latter Inshahallah..

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Saeed Masood

Nov 29, 2015 12:11pm

@aamir ...What defeat??..let us talk about teams together not defeating each other... ..Pakistan needs devoted Pakistanis right from Karachi to Peshawar...let us all team up and respect each other and work for a joint success...Ameen Inshahallah...

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Voice of Karachi

Nov 29, 2015 02:43pm

@saeeds We are not slaves and we know since our Past, which party works for the betterment of Karachi and which not. JUI was in the power in the time of Musharaf, So what JUI did for Karachi? Name a single Road made by JUI in the time of Musharaf? ANP is dead, PTI can take its place in Karachi.

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Reality Bites

Nov 29, 2015 07:56pm

Alas, MQM really messed up with their activity and cult like following of Altaf. MQM would be better than what may come next in the form of JI and PTI ultra conservative combo. Karachi may become another KPK environment.

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