KARACHI:
Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah on Wednesday instructed the police to ensure peace in the province and ordered district administrations to safeguard public and private property and clear roadblocks after protests by PTI supporters turned violent following former premier Imran Khan’s arrest.
According to the minister, PTI workers torched several government vehicles, including public transport buses, water tankers, and waste collection vehicles after Imran’s arrest by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in the Al-Qadir Trust case.
In a statement issued from the CM House, Shah detailed that despite the matter being conducted through the due process of the law and being “confirmed” as legal act by the Islamabad High Court (IHC), PTI workers resorted to violence across the country.
He stated that throughout Sindh, and particularly at Karachi’s Shahrae Faisal, PTI supporters had blocked roads, affecting the daily lives of millions commuting between their workplaces and residences. He added that the roadblocks also impacted those travelling toward the airport for their flights.
The CM added that PTI workers also damaged private cars and buildings, the damage assessment for which was being conducted.
“The police took necessary measures, including arrests and clearance of roads to maintain law and order and to prevent further damage to any public or private property,” he stated.
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Moreover, the district administration and Sindh Solid Waste Management Board (SSWMB) cleared debris from the roads and removed the torched and damaged vehicles.
The minister visited several areas at night, between Tuesday and Monday, to ensure that peace prevailed in the city and anyone causing any threats to the safety and security of life and property was dealt with strictly under the law.
Shah also inspected important areas and roads on Wednesday and urged the residents of Karachi to cooperate with law enforcement agencies. He asked them to abide by the law to ensure every citizen's safety and security.
Chaos ensued across Pakistan as a large number of people including PTI leaders, workers and the general public took to the streets against the arrest of former prime minister and PTI chairperson Imran Khan from Islamabad High Court premises. PTI workers staged sit-ins in different areas of Karachi.
PTI Sindh President Ali Zaidi, besides many party workers, was arrested during the day. Zaidi's car was intercepted by police near the CSD signal before Kala Pull. He was put in a white double-cabin SUV and taken to an unknown location.
Enraged PTI supporters torched many vehicles including two water board trucks, a prison van, and rangers and traffic police posts while also pelting stones on a bus of the People's Bus Service, and deflating its tyres.
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