NA-246 by-election: PTI-MQM workers clash as PTI candidate visits Jinnah Ground

Tension gripped Azizabad area near MQM headquarters, when PTI candidate for by-elections on NA-246 Imran Ismail visited Jinnah ground to inspect the site where the PTI is scheduled to hold a public meeting on April 19 regarding the bye-election. Workers of MQM and PTI chanted slogans against each others while some MQM workers attacked the vehicle of Imran Ismail and smashed its windscreens.
Imran Ismail reached Jinnah Ground along with scores of his party workers to review arrangements for the forthcoming public meeting. When they reached at the side, workers of PTI and Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) came to face-off.
Workers of both the parties chanted slogans against each others, while some enraged MQM workers kicking the vehicles of Imran Ismail and others and smashing it windscreens with batons and bats.
Talking to media, Imran Ismail said he was the son of Karachi and would defeat MQM in by-elections in NA-246.
He alleged that MQM workers attacked his vehicle during his visit to Jinnah Ground. Imran Ismail said that if there were some serious concerns his party would consider it, however if the authorities were preventing them from holding the rally due to MQM, then they would go for the rally at all cost.
"We will rid the people of this fear," he added.
"We will go to the Jinnah Ground to hold the rally and this hooliganism will not work anymore," said Ismail. "We will not live in fear anyone," he vowed
He said that MQM activists manhandled and injured PTI workers. "They also smashed windscreens of our vehicles. PTI will lodge an FIR against those responsible for this vandalism," he said.
Earlier, Ismail went to the office of Deputy Commissioner of District Central and submitted an application for permission to hold a rally at Jinnah Ground. However, the PTI leader was informed that there were concerns about PTI rally at Jinnah Ground.
Later, PTI leader Imran Ismail was interrupted from continuing his press conference at Karachi Press Club by the club management as the time was designated to someone else
The PTI leader made it to Karachi Press Club to hold an emergency press conference and within five minutes into the conference KPC management asked him to discontinue his talk as the slot was allotted to someone else.
Ismail ended the press conference and left the hall.
Meanwhile, addressing an impromptu press conference at Jinnah ground, Muttahida Qaumi Movement Haider Abbas Rizvi accused the PTI workers of attacking MQM workers. He alleged that PTI workers used derogatory remarks against party chief Altaf Hussain. "PTI tear up MQM posters and banners at Suhada Chowk and used abusive language against the party leadership," he added.