The workers of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) clashed outside the deputy commissioner's office in Keamari on Wednesday evening, pelting stones at each other.
At least three persons, including two media persons, were reportedly injured during the clash.
Initially, the PTI leadership accused the PPP leaders for attacking its peaceful workers. They shared a video of the clash claiming that former PTI federal minister Ali Zaidi was also hurt.
Speaking to The Express Tribune, PTI's Sindh Assembly member Saeed Khan Afridi said that he was present when the clash erupted. He said that at least 40 PPP supporters attacked him and his party workers.
"We have been in the office for the last two days to get our results," Afridi said. He said that the attack took place when Ali Zaidi reached the office.
Even after three days of #LocalBodyElection in #Karachi. Clashes erupt between workers of different political parties in Karachi, Workers throwing sticks and stones at each other in clashes , PTI workers protest outside DRO office #Keemari #Pakistan pic.twitter.com/FzKXy3tN8t
— Ghulam Abbas Shah (@ghulamabbasshah) January 18, 2023
It was learnt that over 300 PTI workers were also present at the scene when the clash erupted. Both sides chanted slogans against each other, pelting stones at each other.
Both sides claim that over a dozen party workers were injured but, except a few, all were in stable condition.
"He is safe and remained unhurt," Zaidi's spokesman confirmed to The Express Tribune. But, he added, at least three persons were injured.
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Zaidi alleged that PPP workers with the support of police attacked his party workers.
"We do not believe in the politics of terrorism," he said. "We are peaceful people and have directed our workers not to take the law into their hands," he added.
Several people were left injured when workers from ruling PPP and political opponents PTI clashed outside the District Returning Officer's office in Karachi's Keamari area.
— The Express Tribune (@etribune) January 18, 2023
For more:https://t.co/oLaAoP5dCH#Karachi #PTI #PPP #viralvideo pic.twitter.com/g3NBogN2Mi
Law enforcement agencies reached the spot to control the situation while PTI workers held a sit-in outside the DC office against the attack and election results.
PTI leaders, including Haleem Adil Sheikh, Asad Umar, Imran Ismail, and others condemned the alleged attack by the PPP workers on the PTI leadership.
PTI's Khurram Sher Zaman alleged that police also baton-charged the workers during the sit-in, warning that his party would launch protests across the city in case the provincial government did not stop such acts.
PPP claims PTI workers launched attack
"It was the PTI that attacked our workers," alleged PPP's Senator Waqar Mehdi. "They came to the DC office with a plan to create a law and order situation," he said.
Speaking to The Express Tribune, Mehdi said that the peace was deliberately being disturbed by PTI's Karachi leadership.
"Several PPP workers have been injured," he claimed.
"Karachi has rejected PTI forever," Mehdi said, adding that PTI had also blocked the road at Qayoomabad Chowrangi, disturbing the traffic. "They have the right to challenge the results but through legal ways," he advised.
Mehdi warned that the protestors will be dealt according to the law in case they create law and order situation in Karachi. The sit-in by the PTI continued until the filing of this report, while no case was registered against the miscreants.
Mehdi said that it was the responsibility of the Election Commission of Pakistan to take action against the attackers on the DRO office.
Meanwhile, PTI supporters staged protests and sit-ins across the city.
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