May 12 rally row: 700 PTI, PPP workers booked for violence, arson

KARACHI: As many as 700 workers belonging to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Paksitan Peoples Party (PPP) were booked on Tuesday in connection with yesterday’s clash that took place at Hakim Saeed Ground in Karachi.A case has been lodged at Aziz Bhatti Police Station. On Monday evening, scores of PTI and PPP workers went on rampage at Hakim Saeed Ground, uprooted each other political camps, threw stones and set ablaze many motorcycles. They also pelted police with stones as it tried to disperse the protesters. Tension began after PTI and PPP insisted that they would hold a public rally at Hakim Saeed Ground on May 12. Both sides claimed that they were the first to choose this venue. PPP MNA Saeed Ghani said that his party had formally submitted an application seeking permission for holding the rally at the ground.PTI, on the other hand, maintains that it chose the venue after PPP announced holding their rally at Baldia town. PTI Imran Khan blamed the PPP for the violence. “Strongly condemn the attack on PTI workers by PPP at our jalsagah camp in Karachi yesterday. Sindh govt must take action against those who used violence against our workers. Strong arm tactics by PPP reflects their fear of PTI's rising popularity in Sindh,” Khan tweeted.PTI leaders including Dr Amir Liaquat and Ali Zaidi, tried to lodge an FIR against Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, but police rejected their request. Both PPP and PTI says scores of workers were injured and shifted to hospital after the clash. 

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