Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf rally in Karachi: Live updates

PTI is expecting hundreds of thousands to converge at the ground opposite Mazaar-e-Quaid today

KARACHI: Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) is expecting hundreds of thousands to converge at the ground opposite Mazaar-e-Quaid today (Sunday) for their rally in Karachi. The party’s chairman Imran Khan, along with new recruits Shah Mehmud Qureshi and former PML-N stalwart Javed Hashmi, are expected to address the crowd later today.  

2:00 pm

Sufi Abdul Jalil, known as “Chacha (Uncle) Cricket”, is also present at the PTI rally. He is Pakistan’s most famous spectator and has become a prominent fixture at his country’s matches at home and abroad for nearly three decades.

1:45 pm

Saba Imtiaz reports that security arrangements and checks are quite thorough and are manned by the police and volunteers. There is separate seating for men and families.

According to a PTI official, there are 2,000 volunteers on duty. The ground can accommodate between 250,000 to 300,000 people. Around 50,000 to 60,000 chairs have been placed. There are separate arrangements for the press, PTI’s senior leadership, Insaf Students Federation members and families.

1:30 pm

The Express Tribune correspondent Saba Imtiaz reports that there is a large crew of male and female volunteers at the site and flags are being distributed at the gate. Supporters are milling around but only a few dozen have made their way in.

Imtiaz reports that the roads leading to the jalsa site are festooned with PTI billboards and banners. There are a fair number of cars and motorcycles on the route with PTI flags.