JI Karachi Ameer Monem Zafar addresses protesters at Lasbela Chowk, Karachi on February 15. Photo: Express
KARACHI:
Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) observed a nationwide day of protest on Sunday, on the appeal of its Ameer Hafiz Naeemur Rehman against police violence and the arrest of workers at a protest outside the Sindh Assembly on Saturday.
In Karachi, protest sit-ins were staged at 10 major arteries of the city. Sit-ins were staged at Shahrah-e-Pakistan, Super Highway, National Highway, Shahrah-e-Orangi, Shahrah-e-Korangi Crossing, Hub River Road (Sher Shah), Dawood Chowrangi, Lea Market, Shahrah-e-Sher Shah Suri Road, and Johar Mor on Rashid Minhas Road.
Addressing protesters at Lasbela Chowk, JI Karachi Ameer Monem Zafar said the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) is an anti-Karachi party and has become the establishment’s “A-plus team.”
Zafar said that the PPP has usurped the rights of Karachi’s citizens and taken control of the city’s institutions and resources. He criticised the government for patronising riverine bandits while registering terrorism cases against those protesting for Karachi’s rights.
Read More: Several arrested, injured as Karachi police clash with JI protesters near Sindh Assembly
He added that the PPP’s 18-year rule has deprived Karachi’s residents of the right to live, but vowed that resistance and struggle would continue.
Meanwhile, a special judicial magistrate (South) handed over 30 JI workers to police on one-day physical remand in a case registered under Section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA). The workers face charges of arson, damaging public and private property, and rioting.
JI Karachi Vice Amir and Karachi Metropolitan Corportation (KMC) Opposition Leader Advocate Saifuddin, along with other lawyers and party leaders, appeared before the court during the hearing.
Prosecution told the court that the accused were booked for torching property and creating unrest, with terrorism clauses included in the FIR. The magistrate remanded them to police custody for further investigation.
JI denounces terrorism charges
Advocate Saifuddin strongly criticised the Sindh government for slapping terrorism charges on JI’s peaceful workers, who were arrested during a protest outside the Sindh Assembly.
Speaking to media at City Courts, he said the workers were exercising their constitutional right against corruption and Karachi’s worsening civic problems when police launched a brutal crackdown. “It is shameful that terrorism clauses were added to the FIR, while the real terrorism is being carried out by the provincial government itself,” he remarked.
According to JI, police used excessive force, including baton charge and heavy shelling, leaving four workers seriously injured. Shelling was also reported at two mosques, one of which caught fire. A firefighter was badly hurt when targeted while trying to extinguish the blaze.
Saifuddin demanded immediate release of all detained workers, withdrawal of false cases.
Over 300 booked
A case had been registered at Aram Bagh police station on Sunday against a JI sit-in held outside the Sindh Assembly on Saturday, naming 34 individuals and 325 unidentified participants.
The FIR includes charges of rioting, attempted murder, assault on police, damage to government property, road blockage, obstruction of official duty, violation of Section 144, and provisions of anti-terrorism laws.
According to the complaint, senior party leaders — including Sufian Dilawar, Usman Sharif, Faizan and Jawad Shoaib — were overseeing the protest and allegedly inciting the crowd through speeches. Around 300 to 325 participants were present, some reportedly armed with sticks and batons.
Police stated that the crowd turned violent and attacked officers, injuring Inspector Raja Masood, Preedy SHO Ayub Mirani, Shah Faisal Khan SHO and Constable Zohaib. Despite warnings and anti-riot measures, protesters allegedly remained aggressive, prompting police to use tear gas to disperse them.
Some 30 suspects were arrested while others fled. Police said they recovered five spent 30-bore pistol shells, five 9mm shells, 15 wooden sticks, 35 stones and 79 tear gas shell casings from the scene. A police mobile was also damaged during the unrest.
