In Karachi, protestors demand release of 23 arrested activists

The activists, including teachers, students, were detained during a peaceful protest in Islamabad

KARACHI: The Awami Workers Party (AWP), Women Democratic Front (WDF) and Progressive Students Federation (PSF) demanded the immediate release of activists who were arrested in Islamabad and Bannu, during a protest on Sunday.

The party's Punjab president Ammar Rashid, and members Nawfil Saleemi and Saifullah Nasr were arrested from a peaceful protest in Islamabad on Wednesday, and later sent to Adiala jail.

"We [the AWP] have always condemned the use of force against different political sections for raising their respective opinions - a right that is enshrined in the Constitution of Pakistan," said AWP president Yousuf Masti Khan at the protest, adding that they had always stood for the rights of oppressed segments of society. "Why is it that our members were treated to such a brutal crackdown for merely voicing an alternate narrative?"

Meanwhile, Khurram Ali, the party's Karachi general secretary, claimed that their struggle was no different from those protesting the Trump government in the US or the Modi regime in India.

Condemning the arrests, WDF president Laila Raza called out the 'unlawful' detention of the youth of this country working for the welfare of the oppressed class.

Meanwhile, PSF organiser Zahabia Khozema called for the immediate release of those who had been arrested, pointing out that they included teachers and students, and even a 15-year-old student. "They never deserved to go behind bars for raising their voices against injustice, as these progressive minds want the betterment of the country and nothing else."