Police on Sunday clashed with protesters outside the Karachi Press Club for violating Section 144 when they demonstrated against the killing of blasphemy suspect Dr Shahnawaz Kunbhar and “extremism in Sindh”.
The legal provision empowers district administrations to prohibit an assembly of four or more people in an area for a limited period. It said prohibition of the order would lead to strict action.
TV and social media footage shows police performing baton charges on protesters outside the KPC.
South Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Syed Asad Raza told media persons outside the KPC that “20 people have been detained so far, including rights activist and PTI leader Ali Palh, Soorath Thebo, and others.”
KPC president Saeed Sarbazi told Dawn.com that the “police closed all routes leading to the press club with containers and buses, and even reporters and camera persons were not allowed entry.”
Karachi South Deputy Commissioner (DC) Altaf Sario visited the KPC, where Sarbazi informed him that Section 144 did not apply to the KPC as it has been declared a “Hyde Park” venue, where there is no ban on protests.
The DC contended that Section 144 was imposed due to the risk of riots and violence not only in Karachi, but other parts of Sindh.
According to Sarbazi, the DC added that this is happening at a time when foreign dignitaries are arriving in Islamabad and “such situations might create a bad image for the country”.
The DC told KPC office-bearers that he would also talk with the police.
After Sindh Inspector General (IG) of Police Sindh Ghulam Nabi Memon talked with KPC officials, South DIG visited the venue and ordered the removal of all restrictions imposed there, said Sarbazi.
Meanwhile, witnesses and organisers of the march told Dawn.com that the police had been deployed on Sharea Faisal near the Finance & Trade Center (FTC), on main Korangi Road near Qayumabad, Toll Plaza on Superhighway, and other areas where people were being stopped and prevented from protesting.
There is also a large police detachment on the main MA Jinnah Road near Capri Cinema, where motorists are being stopped and checked by policemen, the protesters said.
A Dawn.com staffer saw a large contingent of police around the Teen Talwar roundabout, with personnel carrying riot shields and wearing armoured vests. A police water cannon truck was parked near the Hilal-i-Ahmar Medical Centre.
More to follow
