KARACHI: Activists of the Muttahida Quami Movement Pakistan (MQM-P) on Wednesday clashed with police during a protest demonstration being held outside the CM Sindh’s House.
The protests clashed with police as they attempted to make their way to the Red Zone near the Chief Minister House. The marchers eventually have forced their way through the police barriers where police resorted to baton-charge and fire teargas to disperse the protestors.
The MQM-P is holding a rally in Karachi against the Sindh Local Government Act, 2021, passed by the Sindh Assembly in December. The MQM and other opposition parties have condemned the act as a “black law” as it revokes powers from LG representatives and hands it over to the provincial government.
The protestors announced to hold a march along the Shahrah-e-Faisal and arrived at the Hotel Metropole but instead turned towards the CM House instead of going to the Karachi Press Club. The protest turned violent as police fire shells and rounded up several party activists.
Many protesters broke through the police barriers and chanted slogans when police officials tried to stop them. A scuffle broke out between the political activists and the police. MQM leader Wasim Akhtar said that they were also protesting against the murder of activist Khalil-ur-Rehman alias Bholo Khanzada in Tando Allahyar.
The rally has disrupted traffic in the red zone and surrounding areas. Police have closed roads leading to the PIDC and Karachi Club. The day witnessed traffic delays when the marchers moved along the Shahrah-e-Faisal.
Meanwhile, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah underwent a medical examination at the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD). He arrived at the hospital without protocol after feeling unwell.
Sindh Transport Minister Owais Shah has said that sit-ins were disrupting life in Karachi. He said that the government wanted to negotiate but it would not restore the local government law.
