Home Minister of Sindh Orders Investigation into Karachi Press Club Incident Following Strong Backlash
10 Police officers suspended over violence on the protesters outside Karachi Press Club
Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hasan Lanjar on Monday ordered a full investigation into the Karachi Press Club incident after a strong backlash.
- A day earlier, human rights activists and members of a popular feminist party staged a rally over the rising number of blasphemy cases – a charge that carries a death sentence.
- A far-right religious party that has pushed for harsher enforcement of blasphemy laws attempted to hold a counter-rally at the same location outside the Karachi Press Club.
- Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar expressed concerns over potential clashes following a planned protest by civil society and a religious party in the city. He stated that the demonstrations were initiated by both political organisations, raising fears of unrest.
As reported, the Sindh government has constituted an investigation committee that will present the report in three days.
On Sunday, the police baton charged at the participants of the Sindh Peace March at the Karachi Press Club and arrested several social activists and women.
The Sindh government took notice of the violence against women, social activists, and journalists outside the Karachi Press Club, suspending 10 personnel, including SHO Eidgah Zaheer Ahmed.”
According to the DIG South, departmental action has been taken against the police personnel, and the suspended officers were identified using CCTV footage.
He emphasized that any form of violence or mistreatment towards the journalist community, women, or children will not be tolerated.
Meanwhile, the Sindh government has decided to form a committee comprising the DIG West, DIG Special Branch, and SSP to investigate the incident, with the committee set to submit its report within three days.
Two separate rallies were announced in Karachi’s Red Zone yesterday, during which incidents of unrest, baton charges, and violence by the police against the protesters occurred.
The police have registered two cases at Artillery Maidan Police Station regarding the unrest in Karachi’s Red Zone. The cases include charges of terrorism and rioting. According to the police, the cases were filed due to rioting, arson, and violations of Section 144.
According to the case’s content, during the unrest, a police mobile was set on fire, destroying government-issued SMGs, pistols, and wireless sets. Members of a religious party were involved in the rioting and arson.
According to police officials, 55 individuals have been nominated in one case, while more than 500 individuals have been mentioned in the other.
During the unrest at Metropole, Muhammad Majid lost his life. A search for the suspects involved in the incident has been initiated.
As reported, the journalists and other individuals detained during the protest outside the Karachi Press Club were released shortly after.
Following the incident, PFUJ and the Human Rights Commission condemned the violence on the participants of the march.