KARACHI: Former Karachi nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal-led Pak Sarzameen Party (PSP) staged a big rally in the city on Friday and challenged its nemesis the Muttahida Qaumi Movement that its era of power has ended.

The rally was part of PSP`s Independence Day celebrations.

However, it created multiple traffic jams on almost every key artery in Karachi`s South and East districts causing hardship and mental agony to commuters.

Carrying national flag and chanting slogans for Mr Kamal, a large number of PSP workers and supporters on motorcycles, cars, buses, etc reached the PSP headquarters on Razi Road in PECHS to become part of the rally.

Mr Kamal along with other central leaders of the PSP boarded a truck to lead the rally. A big portrait of PSP president Anis Kaimlchani, who has been in prison since July 19, was placedon the truck.

The rally reached the Quaid`s mausoleum within a couple of hours, where central leaders and Mr Kamal addressed their workers and supporters.

Without taking name, Mr Kamal in his speech at the Quaid`s mausoleum strongly criticised his former party and said that those who got the mandate did nothing for their own city. `We will not leave this country...those working against the country will have to go,` he said.

`People of this city have given a clear message to those who do not respect the national flag and celebrate our Independence Day,` he said.

After the Quetta carnage, he said, `the agents of RAW` had announced that they would not celebrate the Independence Day. `Today, you [people of Karachi] have proved that you are patriotic friends of the country and not anti-state elements.

Mr Kamal also warned the rulers to solve the problems being faced by the people of the metropolis and give themtheir due rights. `Otherwise, this sea of people would snatch their rights and take back from you the right to rule.

Before the rally began, the parking of a large number of vehicles on Sharea Faisal near Nursery hindered the smooth flow of traffic. When the rally began, it caused a traffic mess on Sharea Faisal, Karsaz, Shahrah-i-Quaideen, M.A.

Jinnah Road and other arteries.

Commuters in cars and public transport vehicles remained stuck for hours in traffic gridlock.

Traffic DIG Dr Amir Shaikh told Dawn that the district administration did not cooperate with the traffic police to stop people from parking their vehicles on main Sharea Faisal near Nursery.

`No one is allowed to take out a rally on Sharea Faisal. This is injustice to the people of the city,` the officer said.

He added that the traffic police tried their best to divert the vehicular trafHc to alternative roads, but the unplanned rally caused immense inconvenience to the people.