KARACHI, May 22: The government for the first time on Monday acknowledged the detention of Shia youths who have been picked up by the personnel of law-enforcement agencies in various parts of the city during the last few weeks. The acknowledgement was made by the Home secretary, Brig Mothram Ali, while talking to Shia leaders invited for talks at his office on Monday.

The acting president of the Jafria Alliance, Maulana Husain Masoodi, disclosed this to protesters staging a sit-in on M A Jinnah Road on Monday evening.

He announced that the protest is being deferred for another 24 hours during as the government had promised to give some positive results.

Earlier, protesters gathered at the Numaish intersection and walked up to the Imambargah Ali Raza where they staged a sit-in, chanting slogans against the Sindh government and demanding release of the detained youth.

Addressing the protesters, Maulana Husain Masoodi said the home secretary had sought another 24 hours during which he had promised to talk to the Interior Ministry in connection with detention of youths. During the next 24 hours, the government is expected to give a clear answer over what he described uncalled for detentions.

HRCP: Secretary General of Human Rights Commission of Pakistan Iqbal Haider has expressed concern about whereabouts of a number of citizens who were reportedly kidnapped and arrested in recent past, adds PPI.

In a statement, he claimed that members of religious parties or their affiliated student wings from Karachi were illegally arrested and kidnapped allegedly by authorities, without disclosing any charge or their whereabouts.

He further alleged that the authorities were violating laws, constitution and all norms of decency by arresting citizens without disclosing any charge, warrant or allegation against them, without producing before competent court and without allowing any legal aid or meeting with their lawyers, friends and relations.