KARACHI: A fresh political controversy has erupted after Shafi Jan, Special Assistant to the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, accused the Sindh government of using force against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) supporters at Jinnah Bagh in Karachi. According to Shafi Jan, the Sindh government, allegedly alarmed by PTI’s growing political strength, resorted to tear gas shelling and baton charge to suppress the party’s activities.
In a statement issued to the media, Shafi Jan claimed that the Sindh government acted out of fear of PTI’s popularity and influence. He alleged that PTI workers and supporters were targeted at Jinnah Bagh through police action, including tear gas shelling and baton charge, in an attempt to intimidate the party and discourage public participation.
Shafi Jan further asserted that PTI had a clear electoral mandate in Karachi, which, according to him, was “snatched away” through unfair means. “Karachi’s mandate belonged to us. Our seats were taken from us,” he said, alleging electoral manipulation and political injustice. He questioned the credibility of the government’s calls for dialogue, asking how negotiations could be meaningful when, in his view, PTI had been subjected to repression and denial of its democratic rights.
“After everything that has happened to us, with what face will the government sit with us for negotiations?” Shafi Jan asked. He maintained that PTI no longer believed in superficial reconciliation efforts and had reassessed its political strategy in light of recent events.
He went on to say that PTI leadership and workers had reached a clear conclusion regarding the way forward. “We have decided that the path of reconciliation passes through resistance,” he declared, signaling a tougher political stance by the party. His remarks suggest that PTI may intensify its protest politics rather than pursue dialogue with the ruling authorities, particularly in Sindh.
The allegations by Shafi Jan quickly drew a response from the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), which governs Sindh. PPP Member of the National Assembly Shazia Marri strongly rejected the claims, dismissing them as baseless and misleading. Speaking to the media, she denied that PTI’s route had been blocked or that unlawful force had been used against its supporters.
Shazia Marri stated that the Sindh government had granted PTI permission to hold its gathering and had not placed obstacles in the way of the party’s political activities. “We did not block PTI’s route. They were allowed to hold their rally,” she said, countering the narrative presented by Shafi Jan.
According to Shazia Marri, PTI deliberately wanted to stage protests on the roads rather than confining its activities to the designated venue. She argued that such tactics were aimed at creating the impression of a large public presence. “Everyone knows that when PTI protests on the road, even 50 people appear to be 500,” she remarked, suggesting that road protests are used to exaggerate crowd size and generate media attention.
She further advised PTI to focus on governance and political responsibilities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where the party is in power. “Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf should pay attention to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,” Shazia Marri said, implying that PTI should prioritize addressing issues in the province it governs rather than engaging in confrontational politics elsewhere.
The exchange of accusations reflects the deepening political polarization between PTI and the PPP, particularly in the context of Karachi’s volatile political environment. Karachi has long been a focal point of political contestation, with rival parties frequently accusing each other of suppressing dissent, manipulating elections, and misusing state power.
Political analysts say that incidents involving alleged police action against political workers often become flashpoints for broader political narratives. For PTI, claims of repression and stolen mandate reinforce its long-standing position that it is being systematically targeted by ruling parties. For the PPP, rejecting such allegations is essential to maintaining its legitimacy as the governing party in Sindh and projecting itself as tolerant of political opposition.
The controversy also highlights differing approaches to protest politics. While PTI leaders emphasize resistance and street agitation as a response to what they describe as political injustice, the PPP argues that lawful political activity should take place within agreed frameworks and designated venues, without disrupting public life.
As tensions continue to simmer, observers warn that escalating rhetoric and street confrontations could further strain the political atmosphere. Calls for dialogue coexist with threats of resistance, reflecting a fragile balance between negotiation and confrontation in Pakistan’s current political landscape.
For now, both sides remain firm in their positions. PTI leaders insist that their supporters were subjected to unjust force and that resistance is the only viable path forward. The Sindh government, meanwhile, maintains that it facilitated PTI’s political activity and that allegations of tear gas shelling and baton charge are unfounded. The unfolding situation is likely to remain a subject of intense political debate in the days ahead.
