KARACHI: Police on Saturday claimed to have arrested 33 suspects after violence erupted during an anti-encroachment drive at Shafiq Mor.

The police said that the angry mob attacked the police and district administration, causing injuries to them, blocked main roads, resorted to firing and attacked vehicles with stones.

According to a police statement, on Friday night, the district administration carried out an anti-encroachment drive on Shah Waliullah Road at Haji Agha Hotel in the limits of Samanabad.

During the drive, the owner of the hotel, namely Mohammed Hashim, and his employees put up resistance and attacked both police and district administration officials, resulting in injuries to SHO Hyderi Market Adeel Ahmed, constable Asif and one administration official.

The police took immediate action and arrested hotel owner Hashim along with three other suspects, who were shifted to the police station for further legal action.

Later, one suspect, namely Jaffer Shah, along with four-five armed guards travelling in a double cabin, arrived at the spot. He also called other people, resulting in around 100 persons gathering there.

The police statement said that the mob blocked Shah Waliullah Road and F.B. Industrial Area Road illegally, attacked the police with stones and resorted to firing at the police. Additional force and anti-riot police were called, who managed to disperse the mob and get both roads cleared.

During the action, 30 more suspects, including Jaffer Shah, were arrested.

The police have registered two FIRs against the held suspects on the complaint of the Mukhtiarakar of Samanabad and on behalf of the State through a police officer under terrorism, rioting and other charges.

Published in Dawn, August 9th, 2026