KARACHI: Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon Friday said that 28 people were taken into custody for forcing people to shut restaurants across the province.
Addressing a press conference alongside provincial ministers, Sharjeel added that some miscreants want anarchy in the county. “The government has arrested some people involved in the riots,” he said, adding that law enforcement agencies are doing their job while political dialogues are also being held to resolve the matter.
The provincial minister further added that the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) will initiate an investigation against all those who will pass negative comments on social media to ignite hatred.
Accusing the PTI of being involved in the incident, he said that people who were protesting at Sohrab Goth were seen carrying Afghanistan’s flags during the riots today. “A person contesting election on PTI’s ticket is the brother of the person who is carrying Afghanistan’s flag,” Sharjeel said, sharing the pictures with the journalists.
Speaking on the occasion, provincial energy minister Imtiaz Sheikh contacted ANP’s Shahi Syed and Riaz Chandio of Jiay Sindh Mahaz, seeking their support to control the situation.
“Everyone is requested to remain peaceful and not take the law into their own hands,” Sheikh said, adding Sindh is the land of Sufis who always teach love.
“We are in contact with the government and no injustice will be meted out to anyone.”
Unknown men set a car on fire at the city’s Al-Asif Square today during protests over the killing of a youth during a quarrel at a restaurant in Hyderabad.
In a statement, Chief Minister Sindh Murad Ali Shah said the government has ordered authorities to take action against the suspects involved in damaging properties during the Karachi riots.
“The district administration and police should ensure that activities in the city continue as per routine. Mischief and negligence on the part of the administration will not be tolerated,” he said.
In response to the reports of streets being closed amid the protests, the chief minister said that he has directed the administration to ensure that nothing of the sort happens.
“The government has spoken to all relevant stakeholders and all of them have distanced themselves from these acts,” the chief minister said, referring to political forces.
