Several Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders and supporters were arrested in Karachi on Wednesday after a protest near Fawara Chowk on Abdullah Haroon Road turned chaotic. Among those detained was the party’s Sindh chapter General Secretary Dr Masroor Sial.
The demonstration was part of countrywide rallies organised by PTI to mark three years since the imprisonment of former prime minister Imran Khan and to demand his release. Khan has remained in jail since August 2023 and faces multiple cases ranging from corruption to terrorism after his removal through a no-trust vote in 2022.
Clashes broke out when protesters gathered near Fawara Chowk. Police baton-charged the crowd and fired tear gas shells to disperse them. PTI activists responded by throwing stones at the officers. The confrontation quickly spilled into surrounding streets.
Severe traffic jams developed around Governor House, Metropole Hotel and Shaheen Complex, causing major disruption for daily commuters. Shops in the area stayed closed, adding to the inconvenience for residents and shoppers.
PTI Sindh President Haleem Adil Sheikh condemned the police action. He said Sindh police had acted against democratic values by detaining peaceful protesters.
Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah took notice of the traffic chaos. He directed the inspector general of police and the additional inspector general to restore normal flow immediately. The chief minister also ordered extra traffic police on key routes and told the DIG traffic to monitor the situation personally.
The party’s campaign for Khan’s release gained fresh urgency earlier this year after the former premier was diagnosed with central retinal vein occlusion, a serious eye condition. He has been taken several times from Adiala Jail to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences in Islamabad for treatment. Requests to shift him to a private hospital for specialised care were rejected by the Islamabad High Court.
Wednesday’s events in Karachi once again highlighted the continuing tension between PTI supporters and authorities as the party keeps pressing for its founder’s freedom.
