45 Arrested Amidst Karachi’s Sindh Culture Day Rally Clashes
Karachi police apprehended 45 individuals on Sunday during the Sindh Culture Day rally in Karachi. The arrests followed an alleged stone-pelting incident by rally participants towards law enforcement officers.
South Deputy Inspector General of Police Syed Asad Raza stated that police were compelled to use a baton charge and tear gas after being targeted. “We detained 45 people on Sharea Faisal,” DIG Raza informed SindhNews.com. “The situation is now under control.”
Navigating Restrictions During Sindh Culture Day
Authorities had designated alternative traffic routes due to the closure of the Red Zone. Rally participants were reportedly advised to use the Lines Area route towards Saddar and then proceed to the Karachi Press Club (KPC).
However, participants allegedly insisted on using the main Sharea Faisal from Jinnah Bridge. Police claim that when stopped, protestors pelted them with stones, resulting in injuries to five officers. This action led to the police employing tear gas to disperse the crowd.
According to police sources, the dispute escalated from an argument over the road blockage at the Finance and Trade Centre (FTC) flyover. DIG Raza explained that an advisory was issued anticipating multiple rallies and processions heading towards the KPC via Sharea Faisal. Unauthorised movement into the Red Zone, housing sensitive installations, was to be prevented.
Response and Aftermath of the Rally
Later, DIG Raza mentioned that 12 of the 45 arrested individuals were released on the surety of the Karachi Bar Association president. Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar initiated a strict inquiry into the Sharea Faisal incident, ordering immediate action against those involved in damaging property.
Sindh Culture Day, celebrated annually on the first Sunday of December, aims to showcase the province’s rich heritage. Past celebrations, as recalled by DIG Raza for SindhNews.com, have also seen confrontations, with a police vehicle damaged in 2023. Approximately 17,000 to 18,000 participants were estimated to have reached Fawara Chowk and KPC from various parts of the city.