Police, Aman Committee protestors clash in Karachi

Heavy contin­gent of law enforc­ers were deploy­ed to preven­t protes­tors from reachi­ng Bilawa­l House.

KARACHI: Protestors of the People's Aman Committee clashed with police in Karachi on Friday. The rally was on its way to Bilawal House when it was stopped by the police.

Police baton-charged the protestors on II Chundrigar Road and stopped them from proceeding further.

A heavy contingent of law enforcers had been deployed to prevent them from reaching Bilawal House and the police also fired tear gas shells to disperse the protestors.

Police and the protestors also exchanged fire during the clashes.

Traffic, which had earlier been jammed as a result of the routes being blocked, has also started moving.

At least 30 protestors were also reported to have been arrested.

A negotiation team later arrived from Bilawal House to speak to the protestors. Representatives of the protestors have been taken to Bilawal House so that they can register their demands.

End of live updates

6:30pm

Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani has phoned Sindh Home Minister Manzoor Wassan and has ordered him to control the situation.

Protestors have complained that no government officials have approached them yet to listen to their demands.

6:25pm

Security around Bilawal House has been beefed up.

All roads leading up to Bilawal House have been sealed since afternoon.

6:15pm

Police have the situation ‘partially’ under control.

The Rangers have reportedly not taken any action against the protestors

The injured are being shifted to Jinnah and Civil hospitals.

Protestors are hiding in the nearby alleys and police are waiting for them to return to Lyari.

Law enforcers appear to be well equipped to deal with the situation.

More police officials have been called in and are searching now nearby areas.

6:10pm

Some of the protestors were reportedly armed and fired back when police used tear gas on them.

A large number of vehicles form the protest rally have Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) flags on them.

6:00pm

The injured are being taken to Civil Hospital.

MT Khan Road has been blocked with containers.

Zafar Baloch is leading the rally and is present at II Chudrigar Road. He is speaking to the media.

5:50pm

An exchange of fire is taking place between both sides.

There is no confirmation on the number of injured at the moment.

Cars and office buildings have also been damaged during the clash.

Deputy Inspector General (DIG) South Commander Shaukat is present at the scene and is leading the police team.

The protestors had been given a warning to return to Lyari or force would be used against them.

5:45pm

Roads leading to the Bilawal House are blocked by containers and a number of arrests have been made, while there are reports of multiple injuries in the ongoing clashes.

Traffic jams have been reported on II Chundrigar Road, MT Khan Road, Mai Kolachi and MA Jinnah Road.

According to Express News, no efforts were made by authorities to conduct talks with the protestors to address their issues.

The traffic in the area is at standstill and the residents are unable to get out.

As reported earlier, the People's Aman Committee had earlier announced that it will organise a protest in front of Bilawal House on January 6, in order to voice its anger at the fact that authorities concerned had not taken any substantial steps to catch suspects involved in the targeted killing of two football players about a month ago.

Zafar Baloch had claimed that though Lyari had become a stable neighbourhood, the targeted killing could disrupt the tranquility prevailing in the area. He had pointed out that the investigation committee formed by the Home Minister had not made true on its promise to produce results within 48 hours.

The leader of the People’s Aman Committee had also  said that the people who represent Lyari in the Sindh Assembly were part of a conspiracy to malign the neighbourhood and its residents.