Police released Pak Sarzameen Party leaders Mustafa Kamal, Raza Haroon and Dr. Sagheer from detention in the wee hours of Monday. The leaders were detained along with other party workers for trying to enter Karachi's red zone.
Police made the arrests earlier while shelling tear gas at protesters to stop them from reaching the Chief Minister House.
PSP Chairman Kamal said that the party workers had not entered Red Zone. At the time of his arrest, further adding that police is taking him into custody for demanding water for the children of Karachi.
Talking to the media after his release the PSP chairman condemned the use of force to disperse his party workers and said that the provincial government should be ashamed for arresting innocent citizens.
On Sunday, a heavy contingent of police resorted to baton charge and shelling to disperse hundreds PSP activists as they tried to march towards the Chief Minister House. Hundreds of PSP activists had gathered at Shahrah-e-Faisal near FTC bridge after the provincial government imposed Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) in Karachi's Red Zone on Sunday ahead of an announced march of the PSP to the Chief Minister House.
During the clash PSP President Anees Qaimkhani was hit by water canon, The entire central leadership of PSP has been taken into custody. Later, police uprooted the party's camp at the FTC on Shahra-e-Faisal.
Interior Minister condemns arrest of PSP leaders
Meanwhile, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan condemned the arrest of the PSP leaders. Nisar said the action against a peaceful political rally is completely illogical.
Police sources informed that more than 20 people have been arrested and shifted within the remits of Artillery Maidan police station.
Earlier, the talks between Pak Sarzameen Party and Pakistan Peoples`Party failed to reach a breakthrough.
'No Red Zone for public'
Earlier PSP President Anis Qaimkhani said that there is no 'Red Zone' for the public. We will come out on the streets no matter what for the sake of our children's future.
This was stated by Pak Sarzameen Party (PSP) President Anis Qaimkhani while addressing the media at his party's protest camp at Shahrah-e-Faisal.
PSP plans to hold a 'Million March' on Sunday from Shahrah-e-Faisal to the Chief Minister House. The purpose of the rally — led by PSP chief and former city mayor Mustafa Kamal — is to press the provincial government to supply residents of the metropolis with basic necessities.
Speaking to the media, Qaimkhani claimed they had obtained permission for their rally. "Come 6pm they [Sindh government] won’t know what hit them as hundreds of thousands will be out on the streets."
Earlier in the day, Commissioner Ejaz Ahmed Khan stated that a ban [Section 144] on assembly of persons in the Red Zone — where the Chief Minister House is situated — will be strictly enforced.
As part of the PSP rally, protesters will gather near FTC bridge on Shahrah-e-Faisal to march to the CM House.
Police have finalised a traffic plan so that commuters do not face difficulties while travelling around the route of the rally. For instance, those coming from Korangi, Landhi and Defence will pass from Korangi Road, Korangi Industrial Area and then Shah Faisal Colony to go towards the airport.
The march is being held to protest against the authorities for not providing the public with basic necessities such as water and electricity. The demands are a part of a 16-point list that the party has put forward.
During a recent press conference, Kamal lashed out at the city mayor regarding the K-IV water project, saying the latter did not know where the water will come from and where it will go, with regards to the project.
He also said PSP held an 18-day protest outside Karachi Press Club for the rights of the people. “We even held negotiations with the government, but our 16-point demand was not approved,” he remarked. “We just want the people to be provided with water, electricity and garbage disposal facilities."
