Containers, tear gas, arrests mark PTI's rally

Police action disrupts traffic as party workers rally against Imran Khan's detention

KARACHI:

Police and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) workers clashed near the Karachi Press Club on Wednesday as the party staged a protest demanding the release of its founder, Imran Khan, on the third anniversary of his arrest. Authorities sealed key roads with shipping containers to prevent demonstrators from reaching the venue, triggering traffic disruptions and confrontations that ended with tear gas shelling and multiple arrests.

Police blocked roads leading to the Karachi Press Club and surrounding areas by placing containers at key intersections, causing severe traffic congestion and making access difficult for commuters as well as journalists.

When PTI workers gathered near Fawara Chowk, police used tear gas to disperse the crowd and detained several protesters, including PTI Sindh General Secretary Dr Masroor Siyal. Tear gas also affected traders, shoppers and women in nearby Zainab Market and adjoining commercial areas.

The clashes and police action disrupted normal activity in the area, while traffic remained gridlocked on surrounding roads for several hours before authorities removed the containers and restored traffic following the end of the protest.

According to a PTI statement, the party observed a nationwide "Black Day" on August 5 to mark three years since the arrest of its founder. The party said demonstrations were held across Karachi, Hyderabad, Mirpurkhas, Nawabshah, Umerkot, Mithi, Nangarparkar, Kunri, Khipro, Sanghar, Shahpur Chakar, Pano Aqil, Ghotki, Kandhkot, Kashmore, Larkana, Shahdadkot, Dadu, Sukkur, Rohri, Daharki, Badin, Tando Muhammad Khan, Kotri, Jamshoro, Jacobabad, Border Farm and several other towns across Sindh.

PTI said protesters demanded the immediate release of Imran Khan, restoration of constitutional rule, relief from inflation, the return of what it described as the public mandate, and the restoration of democracy.

The party said PTI Sindh President Haleem Adil Sheikh, Karachi President Raja Azhar, Sindh General Secretary Dr Masroor Siyal, Karachi General Secretary Arsalan Khalid and other leaders led workers towards the Karachi Press Club before police blocked their route with containers.

PTI alleged that police later used tear gas and baton charges against what it described as peaceful demonstrators on Zeb-un-Nisa Street and around Fawara Chowk, injuring several workers. The party claimed that more than 10 workers, including Dr Masroor Siyal, were arrested in Karachi, while six workers were detained in Pano Aqil and 15 in Kandhkot, where criminal cases were also registered against them.