One killed, several injured during protests in Karachi

KARACHI: One person was shot dead allegedly by police and several people were injured during a clash between police and protesters in Karachi on Sunday.

Police said that a religious group and human rights organizations held counter protests in violation of Section 144. Over 100 people were detained by police after clashes near the Governor House. The protesters were going to the press club when they clashed with police who were deployed to stop them.

Civil society activists and human rights activists from across the province of Sindh had gathered in Karachi to hold a protest demonstration against the killing in police custody of Dr Shah Nawaz, a blasphemy suspect, on September 19.

They have been demanding action against police officers and officials responsible for the extrajudicial killing of the blasphemy suspect. The body of the doctor was later burnt down by local people in a town in Sindh.

As the rights activists tried to hold the protest and marched towards the press club, Tehreek Labbaik Pakistan activists took out a rally from Clifton side and also moved to the press club. Sensing a violent clash, the police used force to stop them, leading to the clash.

The press club was also blocked by containers but later police removed them after intervention of the club’s office bearers.

The human rights activists said that several of the participants were injured when the police used batons to disperse them. They also condemned the police action.

The home minister of Sindh later in a press statement ordered an inquiry and said that action would be taken against the police officials.