Policing dissent and democracy

The Karachi police on Saturday clashed with Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) protesters outside the Sindh Assembly, arresting party workers as the situation left many injured and caused traffic disruptions in the area.

According to South Deputy Inspector General of Police Asad Raza, police detained more than a dozen JI workers on charges of causing unrest and violating the Red Zone.

The protest was led by Munim Zafar, the party’s Karachi chief, to demand solutions to the city’s long-standing civic problems and a more empowered city government.

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According to a statement by JI, “peaceful citizens protesting for Karachi’s rights faced brutal state repression by the fascist Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), with hundreds severely injured in baton charges and shelling.”

The party shared videos of its supporters being taken away by the police.

“The whole country is witnessing the fascism of the PPP in Karachi, with tear gas fired at peaceful citizens and attempts to stop the sit-in at the Sindh Assembly, which are proof of the provincial government’s failure and panic. An empowered city government is the right of Karachi, and the people of Karachi will claim this right,” said JI chief Naeemur Rehman on X.

Police seized a truck carrying the party’s sound system ahead of the demonstration. The protest caused severe traffic congestion across the city, including Burns Road, II Chundrigar Road, Regal, and Saddar, affecting both commuters and residents.

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Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Memon criticised the JI for attempting to enter the Red Zone, saying the party had been explicitly told not to enter the area.

“JI was instructed to hold a peaceful protest but not enter the Red Zone, yet they tried to enter the assembly and threw stones, causing disruption and injuries,” he said in an interview with a private media outlet.

Memon added that the Sindh Police and local administration had been in contact with the party before the demonstration. He also questioned the actions of Zafar, saying, “Who is Munim Zafar to take the law into his own hands?”

He criticised the disruption caused by the protest, saying, “The closure of roads affects ordinary citizens. JI sometimes blocks Shahrah-e-Faisal, sometimes tries to enter the assembly. They are engaging in politics of unrest.”

Memon added that the government remained open to negotiations but said the JI needed to change its pattern of behaviour.

Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar said that JI had been warned that entry to the assembly area would not be allowed.

“We had already informed them that permission to gather outside the assembly would not be granted,” he said. “Today’s negotiations were scheduled for the evening, but protesters resorted to stone-pelting at police, leaving us with no choice but to take action.”

The minister emphasised that “no one is allowed to take the law into their own hands” and appealed to citizens to remain peaceful and not become instruments of those spreading unrest.