Cancellation of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan's planned visit to Pashtun-dominated Landhi area to address a corner meeting of the party in connection with December 5 local governments elections in Karachi angered the PTI workers who pelted stones, threw eggs and shoes on the stage prompting the police to rescue PTI local leaders including Ali Zaidi- Karachi organiser, here on Sunday.
The PTI chief was scheduled to visit Landhi Dawood Intersection, where he was to address the party workers and supporters' rally after Lyari's Kakri ground public meeting. However, he cancelled the visit and flew to Lahore which prompted the charged workers to react violently.
The enraged workers pelted stones, threw eggs and shoes on the PTI city's leaders, who were waiting for Imran Khan on the stage for hours. The leaders took the chairs as shelters and hid behind them. No one was reported injured in the incident.
"We would not let any of the leaders go until Imran Khan comes here, we are here for the last couple of hours waiting for him but he did not bother to visit us and moved back to Lahore without informing us," said a frenzied PTI worker.
The workers also pelted stones on Ali Zaidi's vehicle, but police rescued him. He did not talk to media. The protest also caused gridlock on the adjoining roads creating hardships for vehicular movement.
The PTI chief was in Karachi for two days and the Landhi visit was part of his Sunday programmes to campaign for PTI candidates for December 5 local bodies elections in Karachi.