23 held as PTI protesters, police clash in Karachi
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KARACHI: As many as 23 Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) workers and leaders, including two ex-lawmakers, were arrested on Sunday, following a protest near the Karachi Press Club against the recent increase in fuel prices.
South DIG Syed Asad Raza said around 100 to 150 PTI workers, led by Haleem Adil Shaikh, gathered at Fawara Chowk on Abdullah Haroon Road carrying banners and sticks and attempted to march towards the Karachi Press Club.
He said police tried to stop them and informed them that Section 144 had been imposed in the Red Zone by the Sindh government, banning rallies and asked them to disperse.
However, the protesters allegedly turned violent and attacked the police with sticks and stones, prompting the deployment of additional personnel. Police subsequently arrested 23 protesters, including former lawmakers Dawa Khan and Alamgir Khan, as well as lawyers Maqsood Alam and Khalid Mehmood.
Later, an FIR was registered against them on behalf of the state on charges of rioting, unlawful assembly and obstructing public servants.
However, PTI leaders disputed the police account, alleging that the protest was peaceful and that workers, including women, were subjected to excessive force and arbitrary arrests.
The Artillery Maidan police registered a case under several provisions of the Pakistan Penal Code, including Section 147 (punishment for rioting), Section 149 (offence committed by members of an unlawful assembly), Section 186 (obstructing a public servant), and Section 188 (disobedience to an order duly promulgated by a public servant). Earlier, in a video statement, South Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Mahzor Ali said that “some miscreants” pelted stones at police personnel, who were deployed to “control law and order”. He added that the police responded to the pelting through “shelling and baton charge”.
The PTI had announced a protest outside KPC at 4pm on Sunday against “rising inflation in the country and the increase in prices of petroleum products to record levels”.
The PTI’s Sindh chapter shared a video on X showing policewomen dragging women to take them into custody. “Women participating in the protest against inflation were beaten and arrested,” the party alleged.
Shortly after 2pm, Mr Sheikh, the PTI Sindh president, had said the PPP-led “so-called democratic government had closed off the press club through its police”.
He said the PTI had called for “peaceful” protests across Sindh, including at KPC, on Sunday. “Where else should we go if not the press club?” he asked, quipping that some “favourite political parties” were even allowed to block Sharea Faisal for their gatherings.
PTI Karachi spokesperson Fauzia Siddiqi said that the workers, including women, were allegedly subjected to severe violence. She claimed that more than 30 leaders and workers, including five women, were arrested and “shifted to undisclosed locations”.
According to her, those detained included PTI Sindh leader Dawa Khan Sabir, Alamgir Khan, Women Wing Karachi President Fizza Zishan, Malir General Secretary Advocate Khalid Mahmood, Miraj Shah, Saeed Madni, Zubaida Shakeel, Advocate Najma Awan, Saima, Rashid Gabol, Usman Khan, Kashif Iqbal, Siraj, Shehbaz Nawaz, Bilal Dawood, Noor Ali, Habib Zaman, Master Sibghat Khan, Shakir, and Punhal Solangi.
Earlier, two roads leading to the KPC had been closed shortly before noon, with the traffic police citing “security” reasons. In a statement issued at 11:50am, the traffic police said both tracks of Din Mohammad Wafai Road were shut.
It added that Sarwar Shaheed Road from the Coast Guard Officers’ Mess towards Angle Chowk near Karachi Press Club was also closed for traffic.
Detailing alternative routes, the traffic police said traffic was being diverted from M.R. Kyani Road towards the street with the police station.
Vehicles coming from Fawara Chowk were being diverted towards Aiwan-i-Sadr and Zainab Market, while those coming from the Coast Guards’ Mess could go towards Passport Office, it added.
Police action condemned
Despite the restrictions, a group of PTI workers managed to gather in the Saddar area, where party leaders addressed participants and chanted slogans against inflation and rising fuel costs.
Speaking on the occasion, PTI Sindh President Sheikh said inflation had reached unprecedented levels, placing an unbearable burden on citizens. He criticised the recent increase in petroleum prices, stating that it had triggered a surge in the cost of essential commodities, including flour, sugar and cooking oil.
He accused the provincial government of attempting to suppress dissent through heavy-handed tactics and described the situation in the city as resembling a curfew. He also called for the release of detained workers and reiterated the party’s demand for the release of Imran Khan.
PTI Karachi President Raja Azhar condemned the police action, calling it excessive and unjustified. PTI Sindh General Secretary Arslan Khalid also criticised the handling of the protest, stating that citizens were being punished for raising their voices against inflation and economic hardship.
Journalists voice concerns
Senior journalists expressed their objections to the authorities blocking routes leading to the KPC.
KPC President Fazil Jamili said on X, “No more siege of Karachi Press Club. KPC is a sanctuary of free speech, not a tactical blockade.
“Every time roads are sealed, the voice of the people is stifled. Journalists must have access to their 2nd home. It’s a symbol of democracy, stop treating it like a battleground,” he stressed.
Former KPC president Saeed Sarbazi also described the situation in a social media post: “All roads to the Karachi Press Club sealed — containers, barriers, and silence.”
He added, “This is how voices are suppressed. A direct assault on press freedom and democratic rights.”
Published in Dawn, April 6th, 2026
