The demonstrations organized by Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F), Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA), Jamate-e-Islami (JI), and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in Karachi, protesting against the alleged electoral fraud during the February 8 elections, were concluded after several hours on Saturday.
Initially, the PTI, GDA, and JI ceased their protest, declaring their intention to commemorate “Black Day” and to conduct peaceful demonstrations on February 27 to address the alleged electoral misconduct. Subsequently, JUI-F’s senior leader Rashid Soomro also terminated a sit-in on Shahrae Faisal.
The police’s effort to prevent political gatherings in the city resulted in significant inconvenience for commuters, as multiple barricades were erected along Sharea Faisal and access routes to the Sindh Assembly.
The chosen date for the protest coincided with the swearing-in of newly elected provincial assembly members and the election of the speaker and deputy speaker.
As participants, including women, assembled in various locations for the protest, city police responded with tear gas and baton charges.
In anticipation of the protests aligned with the Sindh Assembly’s inaugural session, the Sindh government enacted Section 144 in the city’s south zone on Friday.
Throughout the day, traffic congestion emerged on Shahrae Faisal due to police barricades at three key points: Baloch Colony, Nursery, and FTC, which aimed to prevent protesters from gathering near the Sindh Assembly. Additionally, near the Baloch Colony area, clashes ensued as demonstrators tried to move closer to the Sindh Assembly, prompting police to deploy tear gas and engage in confrontations to stop their advance.
The protests, marked by clashes between law enforcement and demonstrators as they approached the Assembly, concluded after police deployed tear gas and conducted baton charges to disperse the crowds.
At least 30 demonstrators were apprehended near the Arts Council for protesting and chanting slogans in the Red Zone amidst Section-144’s imposition.
Additionally, a demonstration at the city’s main Toll Plaza disrupted traffic on the Karachi-Hyderabad Motorway and impeded passengers from reaching the airport due to the protests on Shahrae Faisal.
DIG South Asad Raza reported that a substantial police force was stationed on Shahrae Faisal, with closures implemented near the Nursery, Metropole, and FTC areas.
