JI announces 10 sit-ins today

Police baton charge rally near Sindh Assembly

KARACHI:

In a late night development, Jamaat-e-islami (JI) Karachi Ameer Monem Zafar announced 10 sit-ins today (on Sunday) after the PPP government in Sindh used police brutality to disrupt the peaceful protest for rights of Karachi and Karachiites.

JI Pakistan Ameer Hafiz Naeemur Rehman has announced a country wide protest day to be observed today against the police crackdown on JI rally in Karachi.

Police resorted to baton charge and teargas shelling to disperse a protest by Jamaat Islami (JI) near Sindh Assembly on Saturday evening.

"Scores of protesters were injured, many fainted and some were arrested," the party said in a statement denouncing "police brutality."

The protest was part of JI's Let Karachi Live movement, launched after the Gul Plaza tragedy. A procession led by JI Karachi chief Monem Zafar Khan moved from Masjid Khizra via Akbar Road toward Court Road, where heavy police deployment blocked their advance. Shops, hotels, and petrol pumps in the area were closed.

Despite negotiations between JI leaders and police officials, protesters were denied permission to march to the Sindh Assembly. After Maghrib prayers, workers attempted to move forward, prompting police to intensify baton charges, shelling, and arrests. Workers dispersed into Burns Road and adjoining streets as additional police reinforcements arrived. Authorities imposed a blackout in the area, while clashes continued for hours.

By late evening, JI leaders and workers regrouped at Court Road, continuing their demonstration despite the crackdown.

Information Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon, said that Jamaat-e-Islami had been informed that they would not be allowed to enter the Red Zone and were instructed to protest peacefully. He said JI is pursuing politics of chaos and has caused serious problems in eight towns of Karachi.