Nationalists, TLP activists booked

Cases registered for firing, vandalism in Red Zone

KARACHI:

The Artillery Maidan police on Monday registered two cases of rioting have in connection with the protest demonstration by Sindh Rawadari March and Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) in the Red Zone on Sunday. As many as 12 members of the Sindhi nationalist parties taking part in Rawadari March and the provincial leadership of TLP have been named in separate cases.

They have been booked under various provisions, including Section 144 violation, rioting, encounter, firing, wounding, murder, interference in government affairs, damaging public and private properties, kidnapping, and terrorism. The first case was filed by Artillery Maidan police station SHO Inspector Zahid Hussain, citing violations of Sections 144, 188, and 145. Twelve Sindhi nationalist activists have been named in the case, including Punhal Sario, Saif Samejo, Hamza Ali Chandio, Nasir Mansoor, Bakhshal Thalu, Ali Mustim, Muhammad Parel, Ghulam Sagheer, Ali Pul, Ahmed Shahzad, Idris, and Bilawal.

The second case was registered against TLP under various sections and Anti-Terrorism Act on the complaint of Inspector Zahid Hussain. The nominees include TLP leaders MPA Muhammad Qasim Fakhri, Arif Sultanpuri, and Sultan Madani, along with 55 party workers and office-bearers.

The First Information Report (FIR) text stated that a violent clash erupted between law enforcement and a religious group consisting of 500 to 600 individuals who were protesting on Sharea Faisal near Metropole, some on foot and others riding motorcycles in the form of a rally.

The protesters were warned via the public address system about the Section 144 implementation and rally ban. As tensions escalated, some individuals within the rally turned violent, hurling stones and physically assaulting others while interfering with government work. Armed miscreants within the rally began firing into the air and directly at police and Rangers. To protect lives and property, law enforcement employed shelling to apprehend the perpetrators, who disperse after a prolonged standoff.

Tragically, a victim transferred to Jinnah Hospital was pronounced dead on arrival. The deceased was identified as 55-year-old Muhammad Majid Aziz, who suffered fatal gunshot wounds to the face and head.