KARACHI: At least ten police personnel, including Eidgah Station House Officer (SHO) Zaheer Ahmed, were suspended on Monday for manhandling women protesters during a demonstration in the port city the previous day.
South Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Syed Asad Raza announced that a departmental inquiry has been launched against the officers involved. This action follows clashes on October 13 (Sunday) between two opposing groups of protesters and riot police, who were enforcing Section 144, which bans gatherings of more than five people. The restrictions were imposed by Karachi Commissioner Syed Hassan Naqvi ahead of the protests.
The unrest led to over 100 arrests during demonstrations related to the killing of blasphemy suspect Dr. Shahnawaz Kunbhar. DIG Raza noted that disciplinary measures are also being recommended against two senior police officers assigned to security duty at the Karachi Press Club. The suspended officials were identified using CCTV footage.
Protesters from the “Sindh Rawadari March” clashed with police outside the press club while resisting arrest for violating Section 144. Police reported that over 100 individuals affiliated with different groups were taken into custody from various locations across the city, including outside the Karachi Press Club, Hotel Metropole, and Jinnah Hospital.
Civil society members, human rights defenders, and activists condemned the police brutality, asserting that the violence was instigated by the Sindh government. Several Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) politicians, including senior leader Senator Sherry Rehman, also criticized the police response. Rehman expressed her apologies on behalf of the party for the violence, emphasizing the importance of protecting citizens’ rights, even in the context of protests against Section 144.
Bakhtawar Bhutto-Zardari also condemned the actions of the Sindh Police, stating, “We are all disgusted and ashamed of the violent treatment against peaceful protesters.” She added that the home minister has promised a thorough investigation and accountability for those responsible for the “unprovoked, inexcusable, and unjustifiable brutality.”
In response to the incident, Sindh Home Minister Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar has called for a report from Sindh Inspector General (IG) Ghulam Nabi Memon. He emphasized the need for a fair investigation into the violence against women and journalists during the protest and directed the formation of a high-level committee to probe the matter, with findings due within three days. The home minister has also requested immediate details on the suspension of the involved officers.
