KARACHI: Ten police officers have been suspended for their alleged mistreatment of female protesters during demonstrations in Karachi on Sunday, which were held to denounce the extrajudicial killing of blasphemy suspect Dr. Shahnawaz Kunbhar.
In an order from South Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Syed Asad Raza, five male and five female officers, including an Eidgah Station House Officer (SHO), were suspended for their “high-handedness and maltreatment of women at the Press Club.”
The order directed the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) for the South Zone to initiate departmental proceedings against the suspended officers and report back on actions taken within 14 days. DIG South noted that the officers were identified using CCTV footage.
This decision came after police were accused of manhandling peaceful participants of the “Sindh Rawadari March” outside the Karachi Press Club, which took place despite the enforcement of Section 144.
The civil society had previously announced the march from Teen Talwar to protest the extrajudicial killing of Dr. Shahnawaz Kunbhar in Mirpurkhas, where he was accused of sharing blasphemous content online. The protesters demanded accountability for the police involved in the killing and highlighted the rising religious extremism in Sindh.
Members of civil society, along with human rights defenders and activists, condemned the police’s violent actions and accused the Sindh government of instigating the brutality. Several politicians from the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), including senior leader Senator Sherry Rehman, expressed their condemnation of the police’s actions and apologized on behalf of the party.
“We are a democratic party, and the rights of citizens must be protected and respected, even during today’s enforcement of Section 144. I have reached out to many affected individuals from Islamabad to apologize and appreciate their understanding,” Rehman posted on X, formerly Twitter. “It’s important for us to acknowledge this. Many of us feel ashamed and will inform our leadership.”
Bakhtawar Bhutto-Zardari also criticized the police’s treatment of peaceful protesters, stating, “We all condemn and are disgusted and ashamed of the violent actions taken against peaceful demonstrators.” She mentioned that the home minister has assured that an investigation will be conducted and action taken against those responsible for the “unprovoked, inexcusable, and unjustifiable brutality.”
Additionally, Sindh Home Minister Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar has requested a report from Sindh Inspector General (IG) Ghulam Nabi Memon regarding the incident. He emphasized the need for a fair and transparent investigation into the violence against women and journalists during the protest and has called for a high-level committee, comprising the DIG West, DIG Special Branch, and the SSP, to thoroughly investigate the matter. The committee is expected to submit its findings within three days, and Lanjar has instructed that details regarding the suspension of the involved officers be sent to his office immediately.
