Police tear gas, baton charge opposition protesters in Karachi

Police in Karachi tear-gassed and baton-charged protesters of opposition parties on Saturday and arrested dozens for violating Section 144 as they entered the high-security Red Zone to protest against alleged rigging during the February 8 general elections.  The Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA), Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI) and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) announced a joint demonstration outside the Sindh Assembly during its inaugural session. However, due to police action against the protesters, the protests spread to different areas of the city and severely affected traffic flow on main thoroughfares.  Following the protests, a heavy police presence was deployed on Sharae Faisal and routes from Karsaz and Nursery were blocked by containers, causing severe traffic jams.  Read: Opposition parties unite in Sindh to protest against ‘election fraud’ All routes leading towards the Sindh Assembly and Karachi Press Club were also blocked with containers placed near Urdu Bazar and the Arts Council and other roads. Earlier, DIG South said the responsibility for any loss of public or private property will be on the protesters aligned with GDA and other opposition parties.  GDA Information Secretary Sardar Abdul Rahim earlier said "over 2,000 party workers have been arrested by police" across Karachi. Speaking to the media near the Karachi Press Club, he stated that the GDA's protest will continue until their demands are met. Alternative traffic plan Traffic was diverted to Awan-e-Sadar, Khajoor Chowk, Fresco Chowk and Regal Chowk with no movement allowed towards Court Road and MR Kayani Chowk. The traffic police also instructed commuters to avoid unnecessary travel to these areas and to use alternate routes in case of emergency.

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