Majlis Wahdat Muslimeen (MWM) ended its nine-day sit-in across Karachi on Wednesday night, improving the traffic situation in the city, while Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat (ASWJ) protested for the third day. Continued. Continuing the day on Thursday, they also announced to end their sit-in at noon.
The ASWJ announced at a press conference at their main sit-in at Lasbela Chowk, where their central leader Allama Aurangzeb Farooqui called for the implementation of the apex committee’s decisions regarding Parachinar, and demanded an end to protest politics in Karachi. What did
Farooqui said that prolonged protests primarily harm the public and business owners, causing them unnecessary hardship. He suggested that specific areas be earmarked for holding protests so that disruptions to daily life are minimized.
He criticized the practice of protesting issues arising from elsewhere in Karachi, saying such measures disproportionately affect the city’s residents and businessmen. “Let it be clear that if anyone tries to disrupt the peace of the city, he will have to face us. I demand an immediate end to the protest system in Karachi.”
If anyone tries to use the protest for political purposes, they will have to face us. If anyone tries to harm our economy, we will stand with other stakeholders. He demanded that Karam Agency should be de-armed and a military operation should be conducted there to restore law and order. He claimed that terrorism in Pakistan is related to Iran. Just as Iranian terrorists destroyed Iraq. […]We demand that Pakistan also gets rid of Iranian terrorists.
He called for relief to areas like Baghan, Parachinar and Bashirah villages of Kurram Agency, where the situation is worse. He also asked why groups like the MWM chose not to protest on the streets of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and instead paralyzed Karachi.
He accused the MWM of violating law and order and causing suffering to the residents of Karachi by holding sit-ins and blocking roads. He said that the Apex Committee has decided to disarm the Karam Agency, but some groups refuse to surrender their weapons, portraying themselves as victims.
He claimed that some elements were using the protests to hide foreign weapons, with the aim of destabilizing Pakistan and turning it into another Iraq. “Our forefathers have made great sacrifices for Pakistan, so we will not allow it to be tarnished by those who disrespect its flag or ally with banned foreign outfits.”
The MWM had been protesting since December 24 in solidarity with the people of Parachinar and Kurram Agency. Their main sit-in was put on display while more than 10 places including Abbas Town, Kamran Chowrangi, Incholi, Gulistan Johar, Five Star Chowrangi and Old Rizvia were also blocked by the protesters.
This led to severe traffic disruptions, turning short journeys into hours and causing a lot of inconvenience to residents. To address the public’s anxiety, the police cracked down on the sit-ins last Tuesday, arresting 19 protesters, including MWM leader Asghar Hussain Shaheeddi, from the demonstration.
During the crackdown, clashes broke out between police and protesters, leading to the registration of cases under the Anti-Terrorism Act against around 700 people, mostly unidentified, in Sachal, Saudabad and Soldier Bazar police stations.
Despite the crackdown, the MWM continued its protest until Wednesday night, when it announced the end of its sit-in after the peace accord was signed in Parachinar. However, the ASWJ continued its sit-in till the press conference on Thursday afternoon.
While the MWM has officially called off its sit-in, attacks on police personnel during the crackdown have raised the possibility of more FIRs being registered against protesters.
The policemen who were targeted have reportedly approached the Soldier Bazar police to register cases against their assailants. According to initial reports, three incidents have been highlighted.
In one case, police rehabilitation in-charge Abdul Khaliq Ansar and his gunman were attacked near Nomesh, resulting in damage to their government-issued vehicle. In another incident, Sub-Inspector Saqib and Police Constable Junaid were injured due to the violence of the protesters. Police have also obtained footage showing protesters pelting stones at two police vehicles, including one belonging to Kharadar DSP Chaudhry Shabbir.