KARACHI (Dunya News) – Police used tear gas and batons to disperse JUI-F protesters at Karachi’s Shahrah-e-Faisal as they tried to advance towards the Karachi Press Club where a sit-in has been arranged by the party against alleged “electoral rigging”, Dunya News has reported.
According to details, the protesters became agitated and threw stones at the police party when they were stopped from marching towards the press club, forcing the police to use to batons and tear gas shells to quell the demonstration.
The JUI-F’s protest rally was being led by its provincial chief Rashid Soomro.
Opposition parties, including the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F), Grand Democratic Alliance and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), have united in their protest against alleged rigging in the 2024 general elections.
The parties staged a protest outside the Sindh Assembly. During the demonstration, police arrested 10 workers of the Qaumi Awami Tehreek.
The oath-taking ceremony for the newly-elected members of the Sindh Assembly is being held on Saturday. The provincial administration imposed Section 144, prohibiting gatherings, rallies, and protests.
The opposition parties ignored the Section 144 and protested against alleged rigging ahead of the ceremony.
To quell the protest, police resorted to baton-charge of the political workers outside the Sindh Assembly and deployed water cannons and prisoner vans. The caretaker Sindh governor issued directives for strict legal action against those resorting to violence and unrest.
At Karachi Toll Plaza, JUI-F General Secretary Arshad Mehmood Soomro and party workers were halted by police. Soomro demanded the right to a peaceful protest and sit-in.
The District East police closed Shahrah-e-Faisal, redirecting traffic towards Kaala Pull. Shahrah-e-Faisal Nursery was heavily guarded by a significant police presence, resulting in complete traffic jam and roadblocks.
Highways were strategically blocked using containers to prevent potential security threats and mishaps.