KARACHI: The administrative judge of antiterrorism courts has remanded in police custody scores of workers of the Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan detained for allegedly staging violent protests, blocking main roads and terrorism in the city against the arrest of their party chief Saad Hussain Rizvi.

Police detained dozens of TLP activists for allegedly resorting to violence during protests against their party chief’s arrest and booked them in cases registered at different police stations on Tuesday.

The investigating officers of the relevant police stations produced the suspects before the administrative judge to seek their physical remand for interrogation and investigation.

They informed the judge that the suspects were activists of the TLP and had indulged in violent activities and blocked main roads and highways in different areas of the metropolis following arrest of Saad Rizvi on April 13.

They claimed that the detained men violated relevant laws, adding that in some areas they also resorted to clash with policemen trying to disperse and dissuade them from hindering the vehicular movement and creating hardships for citizens.

The IOs asked the judge to grant physical remand of the suspects for interrogation and complete the investigation.

Allowing the requests, the administrative judge remanded the suspects in police custody directing the IOs to produce them on the next date and also submit investigation reports.

Several cases have been registered against the suspects under relevant sections of the Pakistan Penal Code and the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997 at different police stations on behalf of the state.

Over 40 TLP workers arrested

Over 40 TLP protesters were arrested when law enforcers resorted to tear-gas shelling and baton charge early on Thursday morning as several workers of the religious party resumed their protest sit-in on Hub River Road and Northern Bypass, officials said.

A senior police officer said over 200 workers blocked the roads on Wednesday night.

Keamari district police along with Pakistan Rangers Sindh launched an operation at around 2am on Thursday.

The police resorted to tear-gas shelling and used baton charge to disperse protesters.

The roads were cleared for traffic early in the morning.

Published in Dawn, April 16th, 2021