Shia groups protest arrests of leaders in Karachi

Accuse government of protecting leaders of proscribed outfits

RAWALPINDI: Members of different Shia groups carried out a protest on Sunday on Benazir Bhutto Road against the arrests of Allama Mirza Yousaf Hussain, chief of All-Pakistan Shia Action Committee (APSAC), and former Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Senator Faisal Raza Abidi in Karachi.

About 150 members of different Shia groups started their rally from Iqbal Road near Committee Chowk and blocked the busy road at Liaquat Bagh intersection.



Protesters were carrying signs against the arrests and the target killings of Shia religious leaders. They chanted slogans accusing the government of protecting leaders of banned outfits.

The protesters blocked the busy road for about two hours as they gathered in front of the Rescue 15 office. They dispersed at about 5pm.

Speakers at the protest said that the government had been targeting them for their links with the Shia community and warned the government that if the arrested leaders were not released, they would continue protesting.



Local police escorted the protesters and would block the roads around protesters.

Long queues of vehicles were seen in Saddar, while massive traffic jams were also witnessed on Liaquat Road and Tipu Road. The Express Tribune saw four ambulances stuck in traffic jams.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 7^th, 2016.