The sit-ins organized by Majlis Wahdat-ul-Muslimeen (MWM) and Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat (ASWJ) is ongoing at 12 locations in Karachi as of Wednesday.
MWM is holding sit-ins at 4 locations, while ASWJ has sit-ins at 8 locations.
Despite operations across the city on Tuesday to end the protest, the police have failed to disperse the demonstrators.
At Numaish Chowrangi, the police retreated overnight, and a full sit-in resumed. Before Tuesday, traffic was partially operational, but now all routes are blocked, including the suspension of the Green Line bus service
Tuesday, an attempt by police to disperse protesters at Numaish Chowrangi turned the area into a battleground. Following the police’s shelling, the protest camps were dismantled.
Protesters retaliated by setting five motorcycles and a vehicle on fire, injuring 3 police officers with stone pelting.
MWM leader Allama Syed Hassan Zafar Naqvi threatened “This sit-in will continue no matter what do whatever you want. We will restart settings at the location where they were previously dispersed.”
MWM’s main sit-in is ongoing at Numaish Chowrangi, while Abu-ul-Hasan Isphahani Road and Abbas Town’s roads are also blocked.
Sit-ins are also taking place on the roads leading from Kamran Chowrangi to the Meteorological Office and from the Water Pump to Incholi.
ASWJ has sit-ins at Gulbai and Orangi Town. The Gulbai Paracha Chowk and the road from Shahrah-e-Orangi to Banaras remain closed to traffic.
Sit-ins are also underway at Lasbela Chowk, Nagan Chowrangi, Sher Shah Chowk, Tower, Jailani Center, Fresco Chowk, Qayyumabad, Korangi No. 5, and Quaidabad.
A case has been registered at the Soldier Bazaar police station regarding Tuesday’s clash between protesters and police at Numaish Chowrangi.
The case means 5 religious leaders and 350 unidentified men and women as accused. It includes charges of attacks on police, arson, and terrorism.
The FIR states that six police officers were injured due to firing, stone pelting, and baton attacks by angry protesters.
The demonstrators also set a motorcycle on fire. 19 individuals involved in the unrest were arrested during the police operation.
Another case regarding clashes between protesters and police in Malir was registered at Saudabad police station. 3 individuals were named while 150 others were listed as unidentified.
The charges included rioting, more violence, terrorism, and attacks on police. Police officers were injured in firing near Malir 15. Injured officers Niaz Khan of Shahin Force Korangi and Zigham of Saudabad police station are receiving treatment.
The FIR mentioned that angry protesters at a sit-in on the national Highway attacked the police with sticks and stones and uninjured Constables Zigham and Ayaz Gul by firing at them.
It also states that a police mobile was damaged by stone pelting, and three motorcycles were set on fire. Sachal police also registered a case regarding a sit-in and unrest at Abbas town. The case, filed on the complaint of ASI Asim, includes charges of terrorism, rioting, and other offenses.
According to the FIR, the sit-in on Abu-ul-Hasan Isphahani Road was led by Allama Mukhtar, Ammar, Hassan, Jamal, Sohail, and Asif.
Protesters blocked the road and when the police tried to negotiate, the named individuals incited the participants against the police. Following this, 100 unidentified men and 50 women became aggressive.
The FIR also states that unidentified suspects fired at the police to kill and attack them with sticks, batons, and stones.
The sit-ins at Numaish Chowrangi, Malir 15, and other areas have been presented to Interior Minister Zia Lanjhar.
The report mentions that six injured individuals from Malir 15 were brought to Jinnah hospital, by 7 police officers and personnel were injured during the protest.
Reports further states that one police officer and four personnel were injured in clashes at Numaish Chowrangi and Malir 15.
These injured officers are under treatment in hospitals and are reported to be out of danger. Interior Minister Sindh Zia Lanjhar said that an impartial inquiry would hold those responsible accountable under the law.
Sources say that the IG Sindh visited the injured police officers and personnel.
