More than 300 protesters have been booked following violent clashes with police at Numaish Chowrangi in Karachi on Tuesday, police confirmed to local media.
According to an FIR, demonstrators attacked police with stones, batons, and gunfire, injuring six officers, including Sub-Inspector Raja Khalid. Protesters also set four motorcycles ablaze and damaged a police mobile.
Charges filed include rioting, attempted murder, vandalism, terrorism, and assaulting law enforcement officers. Police have arrested 19 individuals so far in connection with the unrest.
Meanwhile, sit-ins by two religious parties at six locations across Karachi continued to disrupt traffic, causing significant inconvenience to commuters.
The Karachi traffic police reported that major roads, including Numaish Chowrangi, Abu al-Hasan Isfahani Road, Kamran Chowrangi, and Water Pump, remain blocked. Alternate routes such as Sohrab Goth to Water Pump and Banaras to Orangi Town remain open.
Authorities have urged the public to use alternative routes and exercise patience amid the ongoing disruptions.
Tensions escalate as protestors clash with police in Karachi
The situation escalated as protesters set fire to a police post, a vehicle, and six motorcycles at Numaish Chowrangi
A protest at Karachi's Numaish Chowrangi turned violent on Tuesday with participants pelting stones at police, who responded with tear gas shelling, Express News reported.
The situation escalated as protesters set fire to a police post, a vehicle, and six motorcycles, prompting a crackdown by law enforcement.
Police arrested several protesters and dismantled the protest camp amid heightened tensions. Some police personnel were injured by the stone-throwing while a police van also sustained damage.
Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah took notice of the unrest and directed the Additional Inspector General (AIG) of Police to restore order and submit a report.
“Damaging public and government property under the guise of protests will not be tolerated,” said the chief minister, adding that those responsible for torching vehicles would face legal action. He emphasised that while the right to protest is respected, it should not lead to harm or chaos.
The chief minister reiterated the government's provision of designated platforms for protests, urging protesters to use them responsibly. The Sindh government vowed to address the unrest swiftly and ensure that the city’s residents and infrastructure are protected.
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