Defiant KP CM reaches Karachi on last leg of Sindh drive

Defiant KP CM reaches Karachi on last leg of Sindh drive.

Key points

• Imran AyubMohammad Hussain Khan Published September 7, 2026 Updated September 7, 2026 07: 39am.
• Mohammad Hussain Khan is a staff reporter and investigative journalist for Dawn based in Hyderabad, where he has worked since 1994.
• Separately, Karachi's District East police, in an official note, remarked that "no public gatherings, rallies or processions will be allowed around Mazar-I-Quaid".
• Imran Ayub is a Karachi-based reporter for Dawn with over 25 years of experience in the field.
• Earlier, he addressed a rally at Allah Wala Chowk in Umerkot, where he arrived six hours behind schedule.

Imran AyubMohammad Hussain Khan Published September 7, 2026 Updated September 7, 2026 07: 39am. Join our Whatsapp Channel. Add Dawn as a trusted source.

Afridi asks Punjab CM to 'apologise' over controversial remarks against other provinces PTI shifts rally venue from Mazar-I-Quaid to Toll Plaza against the backdrop of restrictions; youth asked to join Sept 27 campaign Karachi mayor states PTI free to come to city if it follows the law.

KARACHI/HYDERABAD: After a journey of more than six hours, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi finally reached the Karachi Toll Plaza in the early hours of Monday, with his convoy negotiating blockades, dug-up roads, and other hurdles that the party alleged were placed by the administration to stop or delay his arrival.

For context, the long-awaited arrival of the CM Afridi-led caravan from Hyderabad and Umerkot triggered scenes of celebration at the Toll Plaza where a crowd of PTI supporters, including women and children, had gathered to welcome them as fireworks lit up the night sky and jubilant workers raised slogans in their backing.

Meanwhile, the chief minister was accompanied by PTI Sindh president Haleem Adil Sheikh and other party leaders on the last leg of his five-day public mobilisation campaign in Sindh for the Sept 27 nationwide protest call to demand the hospitalisation and release of incarcerated ex-premier Imran Khan.

Before leaving Hyderabad for Karachi on Sunday evening, CM Afridi had accused the Sindh administration of creating hurdles in his march and vowed that he would not leave the province without launching the 'free Imran Khan' movement with his rally in the port city. "If we cannot reach Karachi today, God willing, we will hold the rally tomorrow; if not tomorrow, then the day after. I will not take a single step out of Sindh without launching a street movement in Karachi. I will stay here until the objective is achieved."

In practice, the PTI, nevertheless, had to change the venue of its planned rally from Mazar-I-Quaid to the Karachi Toll Plaza to ensure that the leadership and workers could reach the gathering.

PTI's Sindh chapter spokesperson Muhammad Ali Baloch alleged that containers, vehicles and other barriers had been placed along the route leading to Mazar-I-Quaid, besides at a number of locations at the Kotri bridge. He remarked PTI workers from throughout Karachi had gathered at the Toll Plaza, where the party had prepared a stage and a truck for the gathering.

Separately, Karachi's District East police, in an official note, remarked that "no public gatherings, rallies or processions will be allowed around Mazar-I-Quaid". 'No dispute over gathering'.

Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab. This person is additionally a spokesman for the Sindh administration rejected the allegations that the arrangements were specifically aimed at PTI and noted the party was free to come to the metropolitan city provided it followed the law. He informed the media there was no disagreement with PTI members over the gathering, but cautioned that "no one should take the law into their own hands".

He remarked the administration routinely makes security and traffic arrangements, including placing containers and imposing restrictions on roads, whenever a substantial political gathering takes place.

Meanwhile, the mayor was responding to the allegations levelled by the PTI that the Sindh administration had erected roadblocks to prevent the party's convoy from reaching Karachi for the rally. Speaking from the convoy's route, the party's Sindh chapter president Haleem Adil Sheikh remarked the CM and other leaders were travelling through "remote and deserted" rural roads after facing repeated obstructions and vowed that PTI workers would reach Karachi despite the restrictions.

"We are removing the barriers and moving forward. Karachi, wait for us, we are coming, " he remarked. He asserted that the convoy had been held up for around four hours en route to Karachi from Hyderabad and alleged that office-holders had removed their vehicle's tyres while police took away its driver.

Earlier, addressing a gathering in Hyderabad, the KP CM lashed out at the Punjab chief minister for making a controversial statement against smaller provinces, wherein she remarked Punjab faced internal threats instead of threats from throughout the border.

While additionally seeking a "clarification" from the Pakistan Army's media spokesperson, "Punjab CM should tender an apology for her statement, " he remarked. Addressing the ISPR director general, he remarked, "You tell us that India is our enemy but the one you secured elected is saying India is not a threat to her. Please tell us who is right?"

He additionally stated only two families were ruling Pakistan – one from Sindh and the other from Punjab – but it was only the PTI whose leader Imran Khan picked an ordinary worker like him as the chief minister. He remarked the PTI's mandate was stolen in the Feb 2024 elections.

Notably, the KP CM additionally called on the youth to stand up for the country and for themselves since the future belonged to them. He additionally called on them to join the Sept 27 movement. "Will you join us on Sept 27 since residents say there will be bullets? I am ready for it and are you ready?" he roared.

Earlier, he addressed a rally at Allah Wala Chowk in Umerkot, where he arrived six hours behind schedule. He called upon his party supporters to come out on Sept 27 if the PTI faced repression, saying they had to stand firm for their future and that of their children. A.B. Arisar in Umerkot additionally contributed to this report. Published in Dawn, September 7th, 2026.

Imran Ayub is a Karachi-based reporter for Dawn with over 25 years of experience in the field. He reports on political parties, crime, telecom, and local administration systems. He can be discovered on X at @MixPatti.

Mohammad Hussain Khan is a staff reporter and investigative journalist for Dawn based in Hyderabad, where he has worked since 1994. As well as health, the environment, and the judicial system, he covers governance, agriculture, and water resources.

In short, defiant KP CM reaches Karachi on last leg of Sindh drive is the central thread here, and readers can expect follow-up reporting as the picture becomes clearer.