KARACHI, July 14: The Awami Tehrik (AT) on Saturday appeared determined not to defer its plan to hold a public meeting in Lyari on Sunday as the government has not yet issued it permission for the proposed assembly.

The party announced recently that it would hold the rally to remember the victims of the armed attack and violence during the May 22 ‘Mohabbat Sindh’ (Love Sindh) rally it had organised with the support of some other parties and groups.

Attended by leaders and supporters of the banned People’s Amn Committee (PAC), and some other nationalist parties, including AT, the rally was held against what was stated to be “a movement for division of Sindh by creating a Mohajir province”.

Gunmen attacked participants in the rally with firearms, killing and wounding several people. The attack provoked further violence in the old city areas. At least 11 people were killed and many others were wounded in the attack and violence.

The AT has convened the Sunday public meeting in Gabol Park, Lyari, to remember the victims.

It said that AT chief Ayaz Latif Palijo and PAC leader Uzair Baloch would speak at the meeting.

The Sindh government has, however, made it clear that no permission was given to the AT for the public meeting or rally anywhere in the city.

SSP-South Asif Ejaz Shaikh told Dawn that no permission was granted for taking out the rally.

Mr Palijo made clear that the public meeting would be held at the scheduled hour in Gabol Park and he would address the gathering despite the fact that the PPP government had issued his arrest warrants.