Sindh's Information Minister, Sharjeel Inam Memon, has launched a serious accusation against the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), claiming the party tried to recreate the violent events of May 9 during the recent visit of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi to Karachi. Memon stated that despite repeated provocations, the Sindh government exercised significant restraint and chose not to register any formal cases.
Allegations of Deliberate Provocation
During a press conference in Karachi, Memon detailed the events surrounding CM Afridi's four-day visit to Sindh, which included a rally in Karachi and stops in Hyderabad and Jamshoro. He revealed that the provincial government, upon learning of the visit, proactively contacted the KP chief minister to assure full security and necessary facilities. A specific threat alert was also received in advance but was kept confidential to prevent exploitation of the situation.
Memon explained that initial coordination with PTI leadership, including Sindh Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah's contact, was positive. Provincial Minister Saeed Ghani welcomed the PTI leaders, and an agreement was reached on the first day regarding which areas to visit and which to avoid for security. However, Memon alleged that PTI leaders later proceeded to District Central despite explicit advice against it.
The Disrupted Rally and Accusations of Exploitation
The PTI's planned rally at Bagh-e-Jinnah faced disruptions, with the party claiming authorities blocked key routes with containers to prevent workers from reaching the venue. The large turnout ultimately forced CM Afridi to address supporters at Numaish Chowrangi instead. Memon countered these claims, stating that verbal permission for the rally had been granted. He asserted that within five minutes of receiving written permission, PTI leaders announced they would not use Bagh-i-Jinnah and would instead stage the rally on the road, complicating traffic plans that were already prepared.
"What would the Sindh government have gained if you were stuck for a few hours? What would we gain by keeping you stuck in traffic for four hours?" Memon questioned, emphasizing the government's patient approach. He accused PTI of taking advantage of this decency.
Vow Against Strike and Broader Political Accusations
Sharjeel Memon was unequivocal in stating that the provincial administration would not allow any wheel-jam strike to proceed on February 8. He framed PTI's actions as part of a consistent political tradition of disorder, contrasting it with what he called the democratic politics of the Sindh government.
Expanding his criticism, Memon referenced the PTI's past federal governance, questioning who ordered the release of Taliban leaders arrested during the Pakistan Peoples Party's tenure. "During the PPP government, operations were carried out against the Taliban, but after Imran Khan assumed power and Shah Mahmood Qureshi became foreign minister, the same Taliban leaders were released," he alleged, claiming legal procedures and courts were bypassed.
In conclusion, Memon reiterated that despite hospitality shown, PTI's actions in Karachi—which he cited included stone-pelting, vandalism of media vehicles, and misbehavior with women journalists—were part of a deliberate attempt to engineer chaos. He affirmed that the Sindh government's response remained one of restraint, but its tolerance had limits.
