Police block JI rally from staging sit-in outside Governor House in Karachi

Karachi witnessed a sit-in outside the Governor House on Sunday, as Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) workers and supporters attempted to stage a protest against the high petroleum levy and demand a reduction in petrol prices. Police and the administration had sealed off the "Red Zone" with barricades, preventing the protesters from reaching the Governor House.

The demonstrators had initially gathered near Masjid Khizra close to the Sindh High Court from various parts of the city, marching towards the Governor House despite the roadblocks. As they neared the barricades, clashes between the protesters and police broke out, with the JI workers persistently demanding passage to the Governor House. Despite the obstacles, they continued to attempt moving forward, but their efforts were thwarted by the police.

In the end, JI leaders and supporters staged their sit-in on the edge of Aiwan-i-Saddar Road near the KPC roundabout, also known as Fawara Chowk. The blockade disrupted traffic and commuter movement in the area, even though it was a Sunday and a weekday holiday.

JI Karachi chief Monem Zafar addressed the protesters, warning the Sindh government and police against using force to disperse the demonstration. He stated that if the government opted for violence and force, it would bear the consequences and insisted that the sit-in would continue. The protest was held on JI Pakistan chief Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman's appeal as part of the party's second phase of demonstrations against the petroleum levy and high petrol prices.