KARACHI – The protests by the Majlis Wahdat-ul-Muslimeen (MWM) and Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat (ASWJ) continued at 12 locations in Karachi, with the MWM holding protests at four places and Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat at eight places.
The police failed to end the protest and disperse the protesters.
At Numaish Chowrangi, the police withdrew at night, and the sit-in is still ongoing. Before Tuesday, some traffic was flowing, but now all routes are blocked, and even the Green Line bus service has been suspended.
On Tuesday, when the police attempted to disperse the protesters, Numaish Chowrangi turned into a battlefield, where the police dismantled tents after shelling. Protesters set fire to five motorcycles and one vehicle, and three police officers were injured in stone-pelting.
The central leader of Majlis Wahdat-ul-Muslimeen, Allama Syed Hassan Zafar Naqvi, threatened, saying, “This sit-in will continue. Do whatever you have to do. We will resume protests at the locations wherethey were earlier cleared.”
Latest Situation of the Protests:
The central sit-in of MWM continues at Numaish Chowrangi, while roads at Abu Al-Hassan Isfahani Road and Abbas Town are also blocked. Sit-ins are being held from Kamal Chowrangi to Meteorological Station and the road leading from Water Pump to Ancholi.
Meanwhile, Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat is holding protests at Gulbai and Orangi Town. The roads at Gulbai Parcha Chowk and the Orangi Town Road coming from Banaras are closed for traffic.
The protests are also underway at Liaquatabad Chowk, Nagan Chowrangi, Shershah Chowk, Tower, Gelani Center, Fresco Chowk, Qayyumabad, Korangi No. 5 and Qaidiabad.
Cases registered over protests in Malir and Numaish:
A case has been registered at Soldier Bazaar Police Station in the Numaish clash between the protesters and police. The case has been filed in the name of the government, with five named scholars and over 350 unidentified individuals, both men and women. The charges include attacks on police, arson and provisions under anti-terrorism laws.
The FIR stated that six police officers were injured due to firing, stone-pelting and baton attacks by the protesters.
The protesters were also accused of setting four motorcycles on fire. 19 people involved in the riot were arrested during police action.
A case was also registered at Saudabad Police Station for the clash between the protesters and police in Malir, with three named suspects and around 150 unknown individuals.
The charges include rioting, violent demonstrations and attacks on police officers.
Two police officers were injured during firing near Malir 15. The injured officers are Niaz Khan from Shaheen Force Korangi and Zigham deployed at Saudabad Police Station.
According to the FIR, the enraged protesters, who had set up a sit-in on the National Highway, attacked the police with sticks and stones. The rioters fired at Constables Zigham and Ayaz Gul and left them injured.
The FIR further said that the protesters’ stone-pelting caused damage to the police vehicle while three motorcycles were set on fire.
The report on the protests in Numaish Chowrangi, Malir 15, and other areas was submitted to Sindh’s Interior Minister Zia Lanjhar.
The report said that six injured individuals from Malir 15 were brought to Jinnah Hospital, and seven police officers and personnel were also left injured during the protests and sit-ins.
The report further said that one police officer and four personnel were injured at Numaish Chowrangi and Malir 15, and they were now being treated in the hospital.
“The condition of the injured cops is stable,” said the sources while quoting the doctors.
Sindh Home Minister Zia Lanjhar said that an impartial inquiry would be conducted and those responsible would be brought to justice.
The sources said that Zia Lanjhar and IG Sindh visited the injured police officers and personnel in the hospital.
