Khyber Pakhtunkhwa CM leads rally at Jinnah's mausoleum in Karachi

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi addressed a PTI rally at Mazar-e-Quaid late Sunday night after his convoy broke through blockades and tear gas shelling to reach Karachi's most iconic landmark.

"The people of Sindh gave us respect, but the Sindh government did not honor its own traditions, including the topi and ajrak," Afridi told the crowd near the mausoleum of Pakistan's founder.

"Karachi was Imran Khan's, is Imran Khan's, and, God willing, will remain Imran Khan's," he said.

The rally drew hundreds of supporters according to some attendees, though PTI claimed thousands gathered despite what it called police "fascism" and obstruction.

Tear gas shelling reported

Earlier in the evening, Sindh Police fired tear gas near Maripur as Afridi's motorcade of thousands of vehicles pushed toward the rally site. PTI officials said MNA Shahid Khattak, Provincial Minister Mina Khan Afridi, and Special Assistant Shafi Jan worked with party supporters to clear the police blockade.

"We have set off toward the rally venue. God willing, today will be a historic rally in Karachi's history," Sohail Afridi said in a video message posted to social media as his motorcade moved through the city.

"All tactics to stop the rally will fail. The rally will happen no matter what."

Afridi, a leader of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party founded by imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan, posted a series of updates outlining his route through the city before reaching the Mazar-e-Quaid.

"Workers from every corner of Karachi should come out and join our convoy," Afridi said.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi addresses supporters from his vehicle en route to a PTI rally in Karachi, Pakistan, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (Video screenshot) PTI

The visit has been marked by a warm reception from the rival Pakistan Peoples Party, which governs Sindh. PPP's provincial minister Saeed Ghani welcomed Afridi at the airport on Friday, presenting him with a traditional Sindhi cap and ajrak shawl.

The Sindh government, led by the rival Pakistan Peoples Party, claimed it issued a no-objection certificate on Saturday, but by Saturday night PTI said it had still not received the permit in hand. Party leaders said the late clearance left them without sufficient time to arrange logistics at the original site, after which the positive environment created Friday soured.

Three-day visit

The rally caps a three-day visit to Sindh province by the KP chief minister, who has been tasked by Khan with leading a nationwide street movement demanding Khan's release from prison. Khan has been jailed since August 2023 on charges of corruption that his supporters say are politically motivated.

PTI shifted Sunday's venue from Bagh-e-Jinnah park to the public gate of the Quaid's mausoleum after accusing the provincial government of deliberately delaying an official permit. The Sindh government, led by the rival Pakistan Peoples Party, issued a no-objection certificate on Saturday but PTI leaders said it came too late to arrange logistics at the original site.

The gathering is part of PTI's mobilization ahead of February 8, which will mark two years since general elections the party claims were rigged against it.