• Praises PPP-led Sindh government, says ‘democratic traditions still alive’ in the province
• Criticises PTI founder’s treatment in jail, calls it inhumane
• Plans to visit Quaid’s Mazar tomorrow
• Hyderabad bar rescinds invitation; workers accuse Karachi police of razing camp

KARACHI: After a “bitter Punjab experience”, Khyber Pakh­tunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi arrived in Karachi on Friday to launch a “street movement” for the release of PTI founder Imran Khan, praising the PPP-led Sindh government’s reception and saying the democratic legacy of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto still thrives in the province.

Speaking to journalists at the Karachi Press Club, CM Afridi compared his arrival in the metropolis with his recent visit to Lahore, saying Karachi had been far more welcoming. “The democratic traditions of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto are still alive in Sindh,” he said.

The KP chief minister said his four-day visit to Sindh was aimed at preparations for the PTI’s street movement. Recalling his Punjab tour, he said it was not a good experience. “Wherever we went to eat food, the lights of that area were turned off,” he told reporters.

CM Afridi said the PTI had received verbal approval from the Sindh government for Sunday’s rally, though no written response had yet been issued.

“Imran Khan did not struggle for power, but for the independence of the judiciary, true democracy and freedom of expression. This is why he has been imprisoned,” he said, adding that the PTI founder was being treated in an inhumane manner in jail and kept in the same place as terrorists.

Responding to questions, CM Afridi said he saw traces of Benazir Bhutto and Zulfikar Ali Bhutto in Sindh’s governance and expressed satisfaction over it.

In another response, he referred to a peace jirga held in the provincial assembly where all political parties agreed on 15 points. “One of these points was that military operations are not a problem, but if one is carried out, it would be thuggery,” he said.

Elaborating further, CM Afridi said decisions could not be made behind closed doors and stressed that without involving tribal elders and local leadership as stakeholders, peace would never be achieved. “What guarantee is there that peace will return after a military operation?” he asked, adding that if the prime minister convened an all-parties meeting on terrorism, he would attend. “Only a joint decision by all political parties, and the provincial and federal governments, can bring peace,” he asserted.

From the airport, the KP chief minister’s convoy took six hours to reach the press club, accompanied by a large number of party supporters. Sindh Labour Minister Saeed Ghani welcomed him at the airport and presented him with a Sindhi cap and Ajrak. PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja also accompanied the chief minister.

CM Afridi boarded the flight for Karachi from Islamabad airport, where he faced delays. KP Minister for Local Government Meena Khan Afridi, who is accompanying the chief minister, said in a post on X prior to departure that their flight had been delayed.

‘Dismantling’ of tents

Meanwhile, PTI spokesperson Mohammed Ali Bozdar alleged that police removed tents erected outside the party’s head office near the Nursery area for the KP CM’s reception. However, he clarified that the office had not been sealed.

Earlier, the PTI had claimed in a post on X that Sindh police had sealed the Insaf Secretariat and dismantled a camp set up there to welcome CM Afridi.

Mr Bozdar said the KP chief minister was expected to address party workers and leaders at the head office. He added that after speaking with police and Sindh government officials, he was assured the tents would be returned and the party would be allowed to hold a gathering, provided roads were not blocked.

Dawn reached out to police for comment, but no response was received.

Gathering at Mazar-i-Quaid

Before leaving for Karachi, the KP chief minister said in a post on X that he was bringing Imran Khan’s “message” to the province. “My visit is for three days and during this time we have planned various activities,” he said, urging people to support the street movement.

He announced a gathering at Mazar-i-Quaid on Sunday at 4:30pm and called on people to participate. “We will hold the biggest gathering in Karachi’s history,” he claimed.

Sindh Local Government Minister Nasir Hussain Shah said authorities had decided to allow the rally at Mazar-i-Quaid. “We will fully welcome KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi in the province,” he said, adding that peaceful political struggle could not be stopped. However, he warned that difficulties could arise if the law was violated.

“There is no restriction on the rally. They have sought permission for rallies in South and Korangi districts, as well as at Jinnah Ground, and permission is being granted,” he said, adding that talks with the PTI leadership were ongoing to ensure rallies were held in accordance with the law.

During his visit, CM Afridi will meet PTI leaders, lawyers and business figures, and hold a meeting with Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah. The visit aims to energise the party’s newly launched street movement in Karachi and other cities seeking the release of the jailed former prime minister.

Hyderabad visit

The KP chief minister will travel to Hyderabad on Jan 10. The Hyderabad leg includes street protests in Kotri, meetings with journalists, intellectuals and farmers, and a gathering at Insaf House.

The agenda also lists an address to the High Court Bar Association, Hyderabad, tho­ugh the lawyers’ body claimed it had never granted permission for the CM to visit or address the bar.

Earlier, the bar association’s general secretary had invited the CM in a letter dated Jan 7. However, in a press release on Jan 8, the HCBA clarified that its executive committee, by a clear majority, had rejected the application. It said the general secretary issued the letter in his personal capacity and used the bar’s letterhead without consent.

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the PTI Hyderabad chapter alleged police raids on the residences of elected union committee chairpersons and party activists on Thursday, though no arrests were made. Hyderabad Senior Super­inten­dent of Police Adeel Chandio also told Dawn that no PTI activists had been arrested.

Published in Dawn, January 10th, 2026