Sindhi Culture Day rally: Several held after clash erupts in Karachi

KARACHI: Several people were detained after a clash broke out on Sunday between participants of a Sindhi Culture Day rally and police near the FTC Bridge on Shahrah-e-Faisal in Karachi.

The rally, which was heading toward the Karachi Press Club, turned violent after the police asked the participants to take an alternate route.

Amid escalating tensions, rally participants started pelting stones at private and official vehicles. Some miscreants also harassed women travellers and damaged government property.

In response, police conducted a baton charge and used shelling to disperse the crowd.

Later, authorities closed Shahrah-e-Faisal for traffic near the FTC over security concerns, resulting in long traffic queues and a citywide jam.

According to sources, the SSP South remained on-site with a heavy police contingent to maintain order.

Police stated that alternative routes were being provided to civilians, but warned that no one would be allowed to move toward the Red Zone. Police authorities said that vehicles were being diverted from Kala Pul toward Saddar.

They emphasised that anyone taking the law into their own hands would be dealt with strictly.

Police stated that the rally had been directed to proceed from Kala Pul toward the Saddar area, but the participants resisted and began throwing stones.

During the incident, a video recorded from inside a passenger bus showed unidentified individuals involved in the unrest, including the breaking of bus windows and damage to a police mobile vehicle.

Sindh Interior Minister Ziaul Hasan Lanjar took notice of the incident and instructed the Additional IG Karachi to take immediate action.

The minister directed authorities to ensure the prompt arrest of those responsible for damaging vehicles and public property.