SCREEN GRAB
Hundreds of supporters gathered at Shahrah-e-Pakistan in Karachi for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s rally ahead of the NA-246 by-polls.
PTI chairman Imran Khan had announced to hold a rally today to campaign for the NA-246 by-polls. The rally was earlier scheduled to be held at Jinnah Bagh but the party later shifted it to Shahrah-e-Pakistan.
9:52pm
PTI chairman Imran Khan arrives on stage to address the rally.
“I am here to fulfill my dream of Naya Pakistan, which is incomplete without Karachi," he said.
He urged all communities of Karachi to come out and vote on April 23.
Read the full story here.
9:52pm
PTI’s candidate from NA-246 Imran Ismail addressing the rally, says MQM claims to be a representative of the poor but it gave birth to feudals, our correspondent Rabia Ali reports.
“Babar Ghauri seized property of the poor and turned it into marriage lawns,” he said.
I am a son of Karachi, not an absconder on the run, he adds.
Nobody will ever shut down the city again, we will put an end to fright where you began it. @ImranIsmailPTI #PTINA246Jalsa
— PTI (@PTIofficial) April 19, 2015
9:33pm
PTI leader Shah Mehmood Qureshi addresses the crowd, says all movements in the country originated from Karachi.
“Imran Khan has come not to win a seat but to change the country’s political system,” he said.
PHOTO: PTI
Every movement has originated from KHI. KHI gives hope to people! It's a historically & culturally rich city!- @SMQureshiPTI #PTINA246Jalsa
— PTI (@PTIofficial) April 19, 2015
8:59pm
PTI sees conspiracy behind power outage at the rally venue.
It appears from on the spot reports that wires cut in connivance with local administration!
— Shireen Mazari (@ShireenMazari1) April 19, 2015
8:38pm
Power partially restored, sound system becomes operational, our correspondent Rabia Ali reports.
Light is back
— Reshma (@GeoReshma) April 19, 2015
Junoon On
Dj butt will rocks #PTINA246Jalsa R u ready Karachi
8:32pm
Lights, sound system shut down due to a technical fault in the generator, our correspondent Rabia Ali reports.
Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah directs restoration of streets lights in the area at the earliest.
The jalsa is being powered by the parties own generators & street lights do not fall under KE's domain. pic.twitter.com/mkEeXbopra
— KE (@KElectricPk) April 19, 2015
8:15pm
Power outage at the rally venue. Consequently, the sound system also experiences shut down.
The lights went off in #PTINA246Jalsa what the hell is going on? We knew this was coming. Sick. #BreakTheShacklesOfFear
— Reshma (@GeoReshma) April 19, 2015
8:11pm
PTI chairman Imran Khan reaches the rally venue.
7:45pm
Rally participants chant "go Altaf go" slogans, our corespondent reports.
7:39pm
The stage is set, party leaders will reach the venue shortly.
Waiting to welcome @ImranKhanPTI #PTINA246Jalsa pic.twitter.com/5niGJOuqze
— PTI (@PTIofficial) April 19, 2015
Imran Khan is expected to address the rally from the pedestrian bridge, our correspondent Rabia Ali reports.
7:03pm
PTI chairman Imran Khan leaves hotel to join the party rally at Ayesha Manzil.
Imran khan left hotel to join us soon.
— Imran Ismail (@ImranIsmailPTI) April 19, 2015
Let's welcome him warmly.
PHOTO: RABIA ALI
Read: NA-246 by-polls: PTI to hold rally on Sharae Pakistan, not Jinnah Ground
The rally is scheduled to start at 5pm.
Addressing the media, the PTI chairman said their rally in MQM's stronghold is to end fear in the people of Karachi.
“This is a great match because it’s not just about how big the rally is but about the fact elections are being held in this constituency,” Imran said.
PHOTO: RABIA ALI
“Change is that elections are being held in no-go areas,” he added.
Imran claimed the MQM held a big rally last night as they too, similar to PTI, are harnessing support ahead of the by-polls.
The PTI chairman, along with his wife Reham Khan and senior party leaders Shah Mehmood Qureshi and Jehangir Tareen, arrived in Karachi Saturday night.
PHOTO: RABIA ALI
Touching down in the city, Imran linked the fate of Karachi to the outcome of the NA-246 (Azizabad) by-election — a vote result that could potentially alter both the future of Karachi and the prosperity of Pakistan.
Read: Race for Azizabad: By-polls to decide Karachi’s future, says Imran Khan
PHOTO: RABIA ALI
“We are contesting this seat only to bring the people of Karachi out of fear,” said Imran. “This one seat will not change anything for us in the National Assembly.”
Earlier today, Imran visited leading businessman and prominent stock broker Aqeel Kareem Dhedhi to raise funds for another hospital.
COMMENTS (19)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ