KARACHI: The Sindh government has lodged terrorism cases against key leaders and workers of the Majlis Wahdat-i-Muslimeen (MWM) following violent protests in the city earlier this week. On Wednesday night, the religio-political party announced the end of its sit-ins across Karachi after a peace agreement was brokered in Kohat.
The protests, which disrupted traffic on major roads like M.A. Jinnah Road, Abul Hasan Ispahani Road, and University Road, saw only partial movement of vehicles throughout the day. However, the road to Kamran Chowrangi in Gulistan-i-Jauhar remained entirely closed. Counter-protests by the outlawed Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat (ASWJ) in Gulbai and Shahrah-i-Orangi further exacerbated the situation.
At a late-night press conference, MWM leaders stated that they had concluded their demonstrations following a grand jirga’s intervention. Earlier, Sindh Home Minister Zia Lanjar confirmed the arrest of 19 protesters and registration of three cases under terrorism and attempted murder charges at Soldier Bazaar, Sachal, and Saudabad police stations. “Hundreds of individuals, including prominent figures, have been named in the FIRs,” Lanjar revealed, though he refrained from specifying names.
Key MWM figures—Allama Hasan Zafar Naqvi, Allama Sadiq Jaferi, Allama Ali Mubashir Zaidi, Allama Mukhtar Imami, and Maulana Asghar Shaheedi—were among those booked under various sections of the Pakistan Penal Code and the Anti-Terrorism Act. The 19 detainees, including Maulana Shaheedi, were produced before an anti-terrorism court, which sent them to prison on judicial remand.
Casualty Report: A Tragic Loss
Violence in Malir on Tuesday night left four individuals injured, one of whom succumbed to his injuries at the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre. The deceased, Syed Shabih Hyder, was identified as a participant in the Malir-15 sit-in. However, police sources suggest he might have been caught in crossfire while returning from work. His family has declined to pursue legal proceedings, citing the death as accidental.
Government’s Stand: Justifying the Crackdown
Home Minister Lanjar defended the police action, stating it was necessary to restore order. “People were suffering due to blocked roads, and the government’s writ was being challenged,” he said during a press conference alongside Sindh police chief Ghulam Nabi Memon. “If anyone engages in unlawful acts or violence, we will respond firmly.”
MWM’s Demands: Call for Justice
Earlier on Wednesday, MWM leader Allama Hasan Zafar Naqvi condemned the police action and demanded the immediate release of arrested workers. Observing a ‘black day’ in protest, he warned of escalating demonstrations, including a sit-in outside Bilawal House, if their demands were not met.
The unfolding events underline escalating tensions and the complex interplay of politics, law enforcement, and public unrest in Karachi. Observers now await further developments as stakeholders navigate this volatile situation.
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