Police have registered a case under the Anti-Terrorism Act against leaders and workers of the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) following violent clashes as the party tried to hold a sit-in outside the Sindh Assembly on Saturday.
According to officials, the FIR was lodged at the Arambagh Police Station on behalf of the state against 325 individuals, including 34 nominated suspects. The case includes charges of rioting, vandalism, blocking roads, interference in official duties, violation of Section 144, and provisions of the Anti-Terrorism Act. Police said that approximately 300 to 325 protesters were present during the demonstration.
The FIR alleged that senior party leaders, including Safyan Della, Usman Sharif, Faizan, and Jawad Shoaib, along with other unidentified leaders, were supervising the protest and delivering speeches that incited participants. According to the complaint, protesters armed with sticks, batons, and weapons allegedly turned violent, attacked police personnel, and damaged public property.
Police officials including Preedy SHO Ayub Mirani, SHO Inspector Shah Faisal Khan, and Constable Zohaib were reportedly injured during the clashes. Police vehicles were also damaged.
Law enforcement officials stated that announcements were made through megaphones urging protesters to disperse peacefully, but the crowd remained agitated. Anti-riot measures, including baton charge and tear gas shelling, were then used to disperse the demonstrators.
During the operation, 30 individuals were arrested, while others managed to flee. Police claimed to have recovered five spent shells of a .30 bore pistol, five spent shells of a 9mm pistol, 15 batons, 35 stones of various sizes, and 79 tear gas shell casings from the scene.
