everal Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders and supporters, including the party’s Sindh chapter General Secretary Dr Masroor Sial, were arrested following a protest near Fawara Chowk on Abdullah Haroon Road in Karachi on Wednesday.
Clashes between police and PTI supporters erupted when the latter gathered near Fawara Chowk to stage a protest seeking the release of their incarcerated leader Imran Khan.
Khan, who has been in jail since August 2023, faces multiple cases ranging from corruption to terrorism since his ouster from power via the opposition’s no-trust motion in April 2022.
The former ruling party organised countrywide protests today to mark three years since the imprisonment of the party founder and demand his release.
Karachi police baton-charged PTI protesters and fired tear gas shells to disperse them at Fawara Chowk. PTI activists, meanwhile, pelted police with stones.
Following the clashes, a severe traffic jam was reported around Governor House, Metropole Hotel and Shaheen Complex in Karachi, causing major disruption for commuters.
Meanwhile, shops in the surrounding areas remained closed, adding to the inconvenience faced by citizens.
Reacting to the police action in Karachi, PTI Sindh chapter President Haleem Adil Sheikh condemned the detentions.
“Sindh police took action against democratic values,” he added.
Sindh CM takes notice of traffic jams
Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has taken notice of the severe traffic jam in several parts of Karachi and directed the inspector general police and the additional inspector general to ensure the immediate restoration of the traffic flow.
The chief minister also ordered the deployment of additional traffic police personnel on the key arteries of the port city, read a statement issued by his spokesperson.
CM Murad further directed the DIG traffic to personally monitor the situation in the field, stressing that the smooth flow of traffic must be ensured under all circumstances.
It is pertinent to mention here that the PTI has long been demanding the release of Khan, but the campaign gained momentum earlier this year after the jailed former prime minister was diagnosed with central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO), a serious eye condition.
The former prime minister has been taken to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) in Islamabad on multiple occasions from Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail for treatment of his right eye.
PTI’s request to transfer Khan to Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad for specialised eye treatment was rejected after the Islamabad High Court dismissed a petition filed by the former premier’s lawyers. –Agencies
