Politics

23
Apr 2021
6:10 UTC

Pakistan Tactical: PML-N to hold political rallies in Baldia Town, Karachi on April 24; maintain vigilance

Please be advised:

  • Vice president of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Maryam Nawaz, is slated to hold multiple rallies in the NA-249 constituency that encompasses Baldia Town in Karachi on April 24. The main public gathering will take place at Bismillah Chowk in Baldia Town. The timings of these events were unconfirmed at the time of writing. 
  • The rallies are a part of PML-N’s electoral campaign for the by-polls slated to be held in the constituency on April 29.

Assessments:

The events are likely to witness turnout in the mid-to-high hundreds, with particularly elevated attendance at the main gathering at Bismillah Chowk, especially given that the rallies will be led by the Vice President of the PML-N. Authorities are expected to employ heightened security measures, which may include ad-hoc road closures, near the events. Clashes between protesters and police may also occur, particularly if the latter resort to forceful dispersal and detentions. There is also a latent risk of scuffles with supporters of rival parties, such as the Sindh-governing Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), who may hold counter-rallies on the same day. Localized traffic disruptions are anticipated in Baldia Town.

Recommendations:

Those operating or residing in Karachi on April 24 are advised to maintain vigilance in the aforementioned area given the scheduled events and associated risk of unrest while allotting for travel disruptions.

COUNTRY RISK LEVEL High
AFFECTED AREA Karachi, Pakistan
INCIDENT RISK LEVEL Medium
STRENGTH OF SOURCE Credible

Please be advised:

  • Vice president of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Maryam Nawaz, is slated to hold multiple rallies in the NA-249 constituency that encompasses Baldia Town in Karachi on April 24. The main public gathering will take place at Bismillah Chowk in Baldia Town. The timings of these events were unconfirmed at the time of writing. 
  • The rallies are a part of PML-N’s electoral campaign for the by-polls slated to be held in the constituency on April 29.

Assessments:

The events are likely to witness turnout in the mid-to-high hundreds, with particularly elevated attendance at the main gathering at Bismillah Chowk, especially given that the rallies will be led by the Vice President of the PML-N. Authorities are expected to employ heightened security measures, which may include ad-hoc road closures, near the events. Clashes between protesters and police may also occur, particularly if the latter resort to forceful dispersal and detentions. There is also a latent risk of scuffles with supporters of rival parties, such as the Sindh-governing Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), who may hold counter-rallies on the same day. Localized traffic disruptions are anticipated in Baldia Town.

Recommendations:

Those operating or residing in Karachi on April 24 are advised to maintain vigilance in the aforementioned area given the scheduled events and associated risk of unrest while allotting for travel disruptions.

COUNTRY RISK LEVEL High
AFFECTED AREA Karachi, Pakistan
INCIDENT RISK LEVEL Medium
STRENGTH OF SOURCE Credible