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

Karachi saw a large gathering of Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) supporters and workers staging a sit-in near the Karachi Press Club (KPC) on Sunday. The protest occurred after police and local authorities blocked the "Red Zone" with containers, preventing the demonstrators from reaching the Governor House. The protesters, initially gathering near Masjid Khizra close to the Sindh High Court, marched towards the Governor House to protest against the excessive petroleum levy and demand a reduction in petrol prices.

As they faced roadblocks, altercations between JI workers and police erupted, with protesters demanding passage to the Governor House while police refused. Despite the obstacles, JI leaders and supporters made several attempts to proceed, but their efforts were thwarted by the police. Eventually, the JI took up positions at Aiwan-i-Saddar Road near the KPC roundabout, previously known as Fawara Chowk.

The blockade caused traffic disruptions, affecting motorists and commuters in the area. Jamaat activists called for an end to the petroleum levy and a reduction in petrol prices, warning the Sindh government and police against using force against peaceful protesters. JI Karachi chief Monem Zafar addressed the sit-in, stating that if the government resorted to violence, it would bear the consequences.

The protest was organized by JI Pakistan chief Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman as part of the party's second phase of demonstrations against the petroleum levy and high petrol prices. Similar sit-ins were held outside governors' houses in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with a sit-in also ongoing outside the Punjab Chief Minister’s House.