Sindh Home Minister Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar has reiterated the provincial government’s offer to Parachinar protesters to relocate their demonstrations to designated and secure locations in Karachi. Speaking at a press conference at the Karachi Police Office, he expressed concern over the disruption caused by road blockades over the past week.
While condemning the violence in Parachinar and expressing solidarity with the victims, Lanjar emphasized that blocking Karachi’s roads and highways undermines the city’s peace and disrupts daily life. “These road closures have created immense hardships for citizens, businesses, and patients needing medical attention,” he said, adding that such disruptions serve the objectives of disruptive elements.
The minister clarified that while the Sindh government strongly condemns the atrocities in Parachinar and urges the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government to address the issue with inter-sectarian harmony, it cannot permit the peace of Karachi to be compromised. An alternative venue for the protests was offered but was declined by the protesters. Lanjar highlighted the ongoing dialogue between the government and the protesters.
A delegation, including provincial ministers and the Karachi mayor, has been actively engaging with the demonstrators to resolve the situation. Despite these efforts, significant progress toward restoring traffic flow and ending the sit-ins remains elusive. The minister also revealed that nine police personnel, including an officer, were injured while ensuring public safety during the protests. An impartial investigation is underway to identify those responsible for the violence and to ascertain their affiliations. Appealing for calm, Lanjar urged the protesters to end their demonstrations and support the authorities in maintaining law and order. “The government understands the pain and frustration of the protesters but cannot allow the city’s peace to be disrupted,” he stated. Reiterating the offer of safe venues for demonstrations, Lanjar expressed hope that the protesters would consider the proposal and cooperate with the government and police to ease the lives of Karachi’s citizens.
