Women stage sit-in outside Bilawal House in Karachi to protest against the targeted killings of Shias in Pakistan. PHOTO: RASHID AJMERI/ EXPRESS
KARACHI:
Hundreds of protesters continued to stage sit-ins at Bilawal House and several other places in Karachi throughout Sunday till early morning on Monday, demanding the removal of the Balochistan Chief Minister and the deployment of the army in Quetta.
Men, women and children, with floor mats and edibles left their homes in a show of solidarity with the bereaved families of the victims of Thursday’s twin blasts in Quetta.
“There is no need for being related by blood… all Shias are brothers,” said Ali Naqvi, a young protestor.
“We are here to express solidarity with our brothers who lost their lives in the blasts in Quetta,” he added.
“I can’t help but be worried when I think about my brothers, sisters and elders, and the children who have been protesting in Quetta for the last three days, despite the cold weather,” said Fatima Zehra, another protester at the sit-in.
“I can’t sit at home in a situation like this. I will continue to protest.”
Around 500 protesters made their way to Bilawal House late on Sunday evening. Allama Talib Jauhari, in his address to the protesters, said the sit-ins would continue until the government fulfilled their demands.
“If the government fails to fulfill our demands, we will lose patience… We are ready to receive bullets in our chests,” he asserted.
Angry protesters attack Sharjeel Memon, Pir Mazharul Haque
Sindh Senior Minister Pir Mazharul Haque and Information Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon ended up being targets of violence when they tried to talk with protestors outside Bilawal House late evening on Sunday.
Shouting angry slogans, young protestors pounced on the hapless ministers, who managed to escape only due to timely intervention by their security entourage. As security tried to escort Haque and Memon to their vehicles, angry protestors hurled stones and pounded their vehicle doors and windscreens. They also pulled down Pakistan Peoples Party banners in the vicinity to vent their anger.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 14th, 2013.
COMMENTS (7)
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This is not the picture of Bilawal House. There were less then 30 people when they started to walk to BilawalHouse from seaview. Yet the Police could not stop them. The protest started at 2:00 in the afternoon not evening. By evening there were more then 2000 people.
Report without been biased. The ministers were waiting behind BBQT for the Maulana's to leave so they can come and create disturbance and find a reason. There guards misbehaved witht he protestors. They are young blood they not going to take this so they did the right thing. Sharjeel Memon deserved this.
Please follow some ethics and report correctly.
Poor reporting. Photo and facts are incorrect.
Having said that - EXREMELY proud of all those who attended to show solidarity with The Shias of Pakistan. Hopefully, the peaceful sit-in will make a difference and will serve as an example for our nation.
Yess!! It was definitely more than a 1000. Your numbers are wrong. It started off as 500.
@ET it was 500 when it started, by time the minister took their beatings, it was around 1500. please get your numbers right
Occupy Bilawal House!
A lesson from Shia community to all Pakistan...this is how protests are done and this is how you put your point across peacefully...not a single glass broken not a single vehicle torached and its been four days...Salute