KARACHI: Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) has declared it will stage demonstrations at 10 different locations across Karachi today, following a confrontation with police that led to the detention of more than 10 party activists.
Karachi JI Ameer Monem Zafar made the announcement after law enforcement personnel used tear gas and baton charges to stop party workers from holding a sit-in outside the Sindh Assembly. The protest was part of JI’s “Jeenay Do Karachi Ko” (Let Karachi Live) campaign, which calls for immediate action on the city’s deteriorating roads, drainage failures, and flaws in the local government system.
According to Zafar, the rally was intended to highlight what he described as Karachi’s neglected rights. He criticized the police response, accusing the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) of displaying what he termed “fascist behaviour” by cracking down on peaceful demonstrators.
The clash occurred after negotiations between police officials and JI representatives failed to produce an agreement. When party supporters attempted to march toward the Sindh Assembly despite the breakdown in talks, police intervened to block their advance.
Authorities had already deployed a heavy security presence in anticipation of the protest, placing police vehicles and buses on major routes leading to the assembly. Barricades were set up on Court Road and Numaish Road to prevent protesters from reaching the area.
As tensions escalated, police fired tear gas shells and carried out baton charges to disperse the crowd. Several JI workers were taken into custody during the operation.
Following the incident, Zafar condemned the arrests and questioned why Karachi had been turned into what he called a “no-go area.” He later directed party workers to temporarily disperse but announced that sit-ins would be organized at 10 separate locations across the city today.
