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.
COMMENTS (19)
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@ Sindhvoice ,pls stop defending the rogue protesters and the notorious Aman comte . They choked the II chundrigarh road , thrashed car windows ,harassed women .
The most important point to consider is that the "poor " Lyariites leader Zafar Baloch was leading the rally on a 3 m priced Land Cruiser .
Time for IK to rise as the next leader of Lyari!
Behaviour of East India Comp was better towards people of sub-continent as compare to present Govt with its own votors.
Police did the right job. Good work.
The agenda of PPP should now be very clear to people of Lyari, who've supported this party since its inception. Now, all PPP votes will go to Imran Khan. That is for sure. Or, is Musharraf also contesting?
My city again burns...
The fruits of the liberal progressive PPP.
@sidrah khan:
No,the 'breakup punjab' campaign is of a much more higher priority right now for the parties.peace in karachi will have to wait.
@Sindhvoice: In Tribal Areas innocents are not killed, even they are killed , the killers are unmasked and punished by the elders. In Karachi the victims don't know who are the criminals or killers.
@Zahid: They are using excessive force against violent protestors. That is allowed in any civilized country.
instead of combining together in trying to break up punjab,ppp and mqm should first bring peace to karachi.
What is home minister of Sindh doing....dreaming
The main business street of Karachi was a war zone with tear gas firing and aerial firing by police. Brutal force was used by police.
PPP die hard supporters protesting against PPP. Interesting........
lol if people dont realise now they wont be there to repent it. Enough with PPP!
Whoever authorized use of excessive force against protestors should be prosecuted.
Workers protesting against their own goverment? \m/
simply disgraceful,ppp betraying the ppl of lyari,its faithful voters and today ppp opened fire and threw tear gas shells at them.