A peaceful protest organized by Pakistan TehreekeInsaf (PTI) at Empress Market, Saddar Karachi, calling for the release of party leader Imran Khan, judicial independence, and against unconstitutional amendments.
The demonstration, led by PTI Sindh President Haleem Adil Sheikh, Karachi Division General Secretary Arsalan Khalid, Senior Vice President Faheem Khan, Jaffar ul Hassan along with other PTI leaders, drew hundreds of participants, including lawyers, women, and citizens from various walks of life.
Hundreds of participants, including lawyers, women, and citizens from various walks of life, gathered to support the cause. However, police responded with unprovoked violence, using excessive force, including severe tear gas shelling, which caused hundreds of participants, including women, to faint. The police also batoncharged the protestors and arrested more than 20 PTI leaders, including MPA Rehan Bandokda, PTI Karachi Minority Wing President Suleman Kanwal, and Youth Leader Meraj Shah.
Speaking at the protest, PTI Sindh President Haleem Adil Sheikh strongly condemned the police crackdown, stating, “Today’s protest at Empress Market was peaceful, yet the authorities unleashed brutal tear gas shelling and violence, particularly targeting women. We categorically condemn this aggression.” He reaffirmed PTI’s commitment to its cause, emphasizing that the demonstrations would persist until party chairman Imran Khan is released and judicial independence restored. “Our peaceful movement will continue until the release of our captain, Imran Khan,” he declared.
In remarks to the media, Sheikh expressed concern over the increasing restrictions on press freedom, stating, “It is telling of our times when, instead of addressing the media, we now face tear gas shells. A media blackout is being imposed.” Criticizing the provincial government, he added, “The Sindh government has once again shown its fascist and oppressive face. However, these tear gas shells will not deter us, as the entire nation stands firmly behind Imran Khan. The turnout of ordinary citizens alongside our workers today is proof that the people demand his freedom.”
Sheikh further remarked, “The rule of law and constitutional supremacy in this country have been eroded. The era of ‘might is right’ will no longer continue. This country cannot function without the release of Imran Khan. The entire nation is united in a single demand: release Imran Khan, restore judicial independence, and immediately withdraw unconstitutional amendments.”
PTI Karachi Division General Secretary Arsalan Khalid stated that the nationwide protests were held for the release of Imran Khan and the supremacy of the law. He condemned the brutal violence inflicted by the police on PTI’s peaceful protest in Karachi, revealing the sinister face of the Sindh government. He emphasized that the nation has come out in protest for Imran Khan’s release, asserting that the only demand of the people is for Imran Khan to be freed.
PTI Karachi’s Senior Vice President Faheem Khan stated, “We are holding a peaceful protest, but tear gas is being used against us. We had announced a peaceful protest at Empress Market. We are soldiers of Imran Khan and will continue to stand for our rights.”
PTI Karachi Senior Vice President Jafar ulHassan condemned the unjustified police intervention, noting that expired tear gas shells were used, which affected not only protestors but also nearby homes, causing several people to faint. “Dozens of peaceful protesters, including women, were detained, and the police’s actions were unwarranted,” he added.
PTI Sindh spokesperson Muhammad Ali Baloch also criticized the police for attacking peaceful protestors, stating that it is every citizen’s legal right to protest. He compared the government’s selective enforcement of Section 144, questioning why it isn’t applied to ruling party rallies but enforced against PTI’s peaceful protests. ‘What kind of democracy is this, where a sitting MPA is dragged by a police constable? We demand the immediate release of all detained workers.’