Hundreds of supporters have started gathering 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.
8:15pm
Power outage at the rally venue. Consequently, the sound system also experiences shut down.
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. Let's welcome him warmly.
— Imran Ismail (@ImranIsmailPTI) April 19, 2015
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.
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