KARACHI: All 30 Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) workers arrested during a protest outside the Sindh Assembly on February 14 were released on Friday on the orders of an Anti-Terrorism Court, JI confirmed.
The protest, organized to demand civic rights for Karachi residents and an empowered local government, was met with baton charge and tear-gas shelling by police. Dozens of demonstrators were arrested, and terrorism charges were later registered against them, a JI statement said.
Following their release from Central Jail, the workers were accorded a grand reception at Idara Noor-e-Haq. Party workers gathered at Jail Chowrangi despite fasting, showered the released workers with rose petals, and escorted them in a rally to Idara Noor-e-Haq amid slogans and high enthusiasm.
Deputy Ameer Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan Dr. Usama Razi, Karachi Ameer Monem Zafar Khan, and other leaders received the workers. Addressing the gathering, Dr. Razi said the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) was the establishment’s “A-Plus team” and had held Karachi hostage. He asserted that the Constitution was JI’s only red line and rejected any “fabricated” restrictions.
He said JI had a constitutional right to protest outside the Sindh Assembly and the Chief Minister House. Referring to Information Minister Sharjeel Memon, he noted that roads now declared red zones had previously been used for rallies by former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, urging senior PPP leaders to acknowledge that history.
Dr. Razi criticized the registration of terrorism cases against peaceful workers, calling it an attempt to suppress democratic dissent. He described the current situation as a “hidden martial law” and alleged that Karachi was being deliberately targeted for its tradition of opposition politics.
JI Karachi Ameer Monem Zafar said the “Haq Do Karachi” movement had evolved into the “Jeene Do Karachi” movement. He announced that protests would be held at 13 locations across the city during the holy month of Ramadan, vowing to continue the struggle for Karachi’s rights.
Opposition Leader in the KMC Saifuddin Advocate, Karachi Secretary Taufiq-ud-Din, Information Secretary Zahid Askari, Advocate Tahir Malik—who represented the detained workers—and members of the Islamic Lawyers Movement also attended the reception.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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