Staff Report

KARACHI: Hundreds of people attended Awami Tehrik’s public meeting in Karachi’s Lyari locality on Sunday, despite Sindh government’s 5-day ban on public gatherings in the city, SAMAA reports.

Most of the attendees were residents of Lyari, considered to be PPP’s stronghold, who flocked to Gabol Park despite tension in the locality.

The participants were carrying national and party flags in their hands and chanting slogans in support of AT central president Ayaz Latif Palijo against whom the Sindh Home Ministry issue arrest warrants on Saturday night.

Jamat-e-Islami Sindh president, Asadullah Bhutto, the Awami National Party (ANP) leader Bashir Jaan, banned Peoples Aman Committee (PAC) leaders, Sardar Uzair Jan Baloch and Zafar Baloch also addressed the gathering.

“The object of holding their gathering is to raise voice against the ongoing violence and terrorism in Karachi and bring peace in the city as well as to pay tribute to those killed in attack on our Muhabbat-e-Sindh rally on May 22,” Palijo said while addressing the rally.

In their speeches, the AT leader and others blamed the government and its ally MQM for the attack on the Mohbat–e-Sindh rally, condemning lawlessness in the city.

“We will not let the Sindh province dismember…We are not against any community but we are only opponent s of policies of MQM which is not representing the Urdu speakers,” Palijo said.

He flayed government authorities for issuing his arrest warrants and attempting to stop the rally by placing containers in the Red Zone.

“The government is turning a blind eye to MQM, but we make it clear that none will leave the city. Karachi is everyone’s city and speakers of all languages are our brethren.” -- AGENCIES