The National Highway was blocked with heavy contingents of police arriving in Malir as protests by Shia activists against the arrests of their leaders intensified on Monday.
Earlier today, police resorted to aerial firing and tear gas to disperse protesters blocking railway tracks in Malir and Model Colony areas. The protests also caused schools in the vicinity to shutdown while there was a traffic gridlock in the area because of the blockage.
Also read: Allama Mirza Yousaf detained by police in Karachi
On Sunday, members of different Shia groups carried out a protest on Benazir Bhutto Road against the arrests of Allama Mirza Yousaf Hussain, chief of All-Pakistan Shia Action Committee (APSAC), and former Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Senator Faisal Raza Abidi in Karachi after about a dozen people were killed in the metropolis.
About 150 members of different Shia groups started their rally from Iqbal Road near Committee Chowk and blocked the busy road at Liaquat Bagh intersection.
Read more: Faisal Raza Abidi sent to prison on judicial remand
Protesters were carrying signs against the arrests and the target killings of Shia religious leaders. They chanted slogans accusing the government of protecting leaders of banned outfits.
The protesters blocked the busy road for about two hours as they gathered in front of the Rescue 15 office. They dispersed at about 5pm.
Speakers at the protest said that the government had been targeting them for their links with the Shia community and warned the government that if the arrested leaders were not released, they would continue protesting.
