PTI accuses PPP of barring protest FIR

PPP workers set ablaze an effigy of PM in Larkana before his visit

HYDERABAD/ KARACHI: Pakistan-Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) members have accused the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leadership of "encouraging" PPP workers to stage a demonstration in Larkana before Prime Minister Imran Khan's visit and later keeping the police from registering an FIR against the protesters.

A viral video showed PPP workers protesting on the PM's arrival in Larkana on Wednesday, even setting an effigy of the PM on fire.

Provoked by this hostile welcome, the PTI Sindh leadership said it had tried to register an FIR against the protesters but couldn't because the PPP, primarily Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, barred the police from doing so.

According to a draft of the FIR which was to be registered, a copy of which is available with The Express Tribune, at least 20 people had blocked the road near Miro Khan Chowk during the demonstration, with six nominated in the FIR.

"Larkana is not a no-go area," PTI's Haleem Adil Sheikh told The Express Tribune, adding that such a protest was not a good gesture. Accusing unnamed provincial ministers of encouraging the protesters, he insisted this could not be tolerated.

He also commented on news of SSP Masood Bangash's transfer from Larkana to Karachi's East district. "The transfer is a reward for not registering the FIR.”

Taking exception to PTI's allegations, Sindh government spokesperson Murtaza Wahab maintained that protesting was a fundamental right and  action could only be taken had the protesters harmed others or public property. "Even PTI leaders protest against the PPP quite often. Do we register an FIR against them?"

Asked about SSP Bangash's transfer, he said that if there was a transfer, it would be a routine proceeding.

'A grudging visit'

Meanwhile, Sindh Information Minister Nasir Hussain Shah claimed that PM Khan seemed to have grudgingly visited Sindh after the coronavirus outbreak.

Talking to the media in Hyderabad and Jamshoro on Thursday, he said the PM visited other provinces but avoided Sindh. Asked why the CM did not receive Khan in Karachi, the minister stated that the CM was not officially informed about the visit. "Political differences aside, it's a moral obligation to receive a guest, which the CM would have done if he was officially intimated about the visit."

He added that the PM should be asked why he did not meet the CM during his visit to Karachi. 

Published in The Express Tribune, June 19^th, 2020.