Police detain PTI workers after Karachi protest over Imran’s imprisonment

The police and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) workers clashed near the Karachi Press Club (KPC) on Wednesday as the party staged a protest demanding the release of its founder, Imran Khan, on the third anniversary of his arrest.

Authorities sealed key roads with shipping containers to prevent demonstrators from reaching the venue, triggering traffic disruptions and confrontations that ended with tear gas shelling and multiple arrests.

Imran has remained in prison since August 2023 after his conviction in a corruption case and has since faced multiple convictions and prosecutions in other cases, including allegations relating to corruption, disclosure of official secrets and marriage laws. He and his party reject all allegations, maintaining that the cases are politically motivated and intended to keep him out of politics.

Police blocked roads leading to the KPC and surrounding areas by placing containers at key intersections, causing severe traffic congestion and making access difficult for commuters as well as journalists.

When PTI workers gathered near Fawara Chowk, police used tear gas to disperse the crowd and detained several protesters, including PTI Sindh Secretary General Dr Masroor Siyal. Tear gas also affected traders, shoppers and women in nearby Zainab Market and adjoining commercial areas.

Read: PTI stages nationwide protests to mark three years of Imran Khan’s imprisonment

The clashes and police action disrupted normal activity in the area, while traffic remained gridlocked on surrounding roads for several hours before authorities removed the containers and restored traffic following the end of the protest.

According to a PTI statement, the party observed a nationwide “Black Day” on August 5 to mark three years since the arrest of its founder. The party said demonstrations were held across Karachi, Hyderabad, Mirpurkhas, Nawabshah, Umerkot, Mithi, Nangarparkar, Kunri, Khipro, Sanghar, Shahpur Chakar, Pano Aqil, Ghotki, Kandhkot, Kashmore, Larkana, Shahdadkot, Dadu, Sukkur, Rohri, Daharki, Badin, Tando Muhammad Khan, Kotri, Jamshoro, Jacobabad, Border Farm and several other towns across Sindh.

The PTI said protesters demanded Imran’s immediate release, restoration of constitutional rule, relief from inflation, the return of what it described as the public mandate and the restoration of democracy.

The party said PTI Sindh President Haleem Adil Sheikh, Karachi President Raja Azhar, Dr Siyal, Karachi Secretary General Arsalan Khalid and other leaders led workers towards the KPC before police blocked their route with containers.

It alleged that police later used tear gas and baton charges against what it described as peaceful demonstrators on Zeb-un-Nisa Street and around Fawara Chowk, injuring several workers. The party claimed that more than 10 workers, including Dr Siyal, were arrested in Karachi, while six workers were detained in Pano Aqil and 15 in Kandhkot, where criminal cases were also registered against them.

Addressing protesters, Sheikh said the turnout across Sindh demonstrated public support for Imran. He demanded the immediate release of all detained PTI workers and accused the Sindh government of suppressing constitutional rights.

Sheikh further alleged that Imran’s imprisonment three years ago had paved the way for governments formed on a “fake mandate”, contributing to the country’s political and economic challenges. He maintained that Pakistan could overcome its crises only through the release of political prisoners and the holding of free, fair and transparent elections.

He also accused police of unlawfully sealing the KPC with containers, using force against peaceful protesters, including women, and violating citizens’ constitutional right to peaceful assembly. The PTI said it had sought official permission for the demonstration and called for the release of all detained workers and the withdrawal of cases registered against them.

PTI protest snarls traffic across Karachi

The protest triggered widespread traffic congestion across Karachi, leaving commuters stranded for hours as major arteries in the city’s old quarters, including II Chundrigar Road, MA Jinnah Road, Saddar and adjoining areas, remained choked. Journeys that would normally take a few minutes stretched into hours.

Traffic disruption was also reported from several other parts of the city, including Hasan Square, Gharibabad, Jamshed Road, Metroville, Nazimabad and other areas, adding to the ordeal of office-goers and other commuters returning home.

Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah took immediate notice of severe traffic congestion in several parts of Karachi and directed the police authorities to restore traffic flow without delay.

A view of traffic congestion near Karachi’s Zainab Market after police sealed roads during a PTI protest on Wednesday. Photo: Express

According to a statement, the chief minister instructed the inspector general of police and the additional inspector general of Karachi to ensure the immediate restoration of traffic.

He directed authorities to clear traffic from Saddar, the Old City Area, MA Jinnah Road and Zainab Market on a priority basis.

Murad also ordered the deployment of additional traffic police personnel on roads and sought a report on the measures taken.

“We must ensure the uninterrupted flow of traffic on the city’s roads under all circumstances,” Murad was quoted as saying.