Police clash with demonstrators in Karachi

Staff Report KARACHI: Police fired tear gas and protesters pelted stones in Karachi on Sunday evening during a rally that was part of nationwide protests condemning Israel’s killing of Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah and its ongoing bombing campaign in Lebanon. Thousands of people protested across Pakistan after Hezbollah confirmed on Saturday that its longtime chief had been killed by an Israeli air strike in Lebanon. Tel Aviv said it conducted an airstrike in Beirut’s southern suburbs a day earlier in what would be a devastating blow to the group as it reels from an escalating campaign of Israeli attacks. In Karachi, a large number of protesters, including women and children, attended the rally, raising slogans against Israel and its long-time ally, the United States. Karachi Police said in a statement that the religiopolitical party, Majlis Wahdat Muslimeen (MWM), organised the rally in the metropolis. “[The rally] was going to start at PIDC intersection, before moving towards Mai Kolachi Road via the ICI Bridge before culminating at the US Consulate,” the statement said. According to the police, several protesters began their rally from the Old Numaish roundabout and marched along the main MA Jinnah Road. When they descended from the Native Jetty Bridge and attempted to approach the US consulate, police contingents stationed there prevented them from moving further. The police had already set up containers and created temporary barriers on MT Khan Road and Mai Kolachi Road leading toward the consulate. However, protesters tried removing the obstacles which led to the clashes. Footage on social media showed clouds of tear gas and protesters congregating near Bahria Complex on MT Khan Road, west of the Consulate, waving Hezbollah flags and chanting slogans. Protesters were also seen throwing stones at police clad in riot gear. Deputy Inspector General (DIG) South Asad Raza told Dawn.com that several officers, including station house officer (SHO) Mouchko, were injured after protesters pelted stones at the police. Meanwhile, a journalists’ organisation, Crime Reporters’ Association, said in a statement that some reporters covering the incident were beaten and injured, allegedly by the protesters. It added that DSNG vans belonging to a few private news channels were also damaged. “An understanding had been reached with the protestors to hold a peaceful demonstration, while the police had offered to facilitate a meeting between some rally leaders and a representative from the US Consulate,” said DIG Raza. “However, the protestors violated this understanding and damaged the containers put near the US Consulate and tried to proceed further,” he said. The DIG added that aside from pelting stones at the police, some protestors also allegedly resorted to aerial firing, which compelled the law enforcers to take action. “The police resorted to tear gas shelling to disperse them,” said the DIG. He admitted that “some arrests” were made but those detained were released after successful negotiations with the protest organisers as they ended their demonstrations. Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar took notice of the incident and sought details from DIG South. “Civilians, including journalists, should be rescued and more police should be deployed to stop the rioting and stone pelting,” the minister said in a statement on X. “All possible steps should be taken to establish the rule of law and protect the life and property of citizens.”