KARACHI: A petition was filed in the Sindh High Court (SHC) on Wednesday seeking directives for a ban on political rallies in the city on May 12. The petitioner, Iqbal Kazmi, stated that a bloodbath took place in the city on May 12 and the day had since been observed as a black day. He held that allowing parties to proceed with rallies could deteriorate the city’s peace and result in loss of lives. He cited the example of the recent clash between Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) following a dispute over the venue of their May 12 jalsas. PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari had blamed PTI for the incident that took place late on Monday night at Hakeem Saeed ground. The ground turned into a battlefield after the workers of the two parties clashed to seek its control. Both the parties have now announced different venues for their rallies. While the PPP will hold the rally at Bagh-e-Jinnah, the PTI has opted for Aladdin Park for its rally. Published in Daily Times, May 10th 2018.