Karachi: On Sunday, October 13, 2024, police unleashed brutal violence against peaceful protesters outside Karachi Press Club. The protestors demanded justice for the killing of Dr. Shahnawaz Kanbhar, and called for an end to religious extremism in Sindh province.
The protest highlighted the extrajudicial killing of Dr. Shahnawaz, allegedly linked to blasphemous content on Facebook. The Sindh Human Rights Commission stated that he was wrongfully identified as a blasphemy suspect due to systemic flaws in the FIR registration process. Home Minister Zia Ul Hassan Lanjar admitted that Dr. Shahnawaz was murdered in a police-staged encounter, yet the main perpetrators, including police officers and the clerics who issued the fatwa, remain at large. Some of them secured bail from the court before their arrest.
In the meantime, religious extremists have begun holding protests in Umarkot, formerly, Amarkot, where they incited violence and threatened Hindus, including those who spoke out against Dr. Shahnawaz’s killing. Throughout this turmoil, the Sindh government has appeared indifferent, with no arrest made for those delivering hate speeches.
Police’s Use of Brutal Violence
The Sindh government imposed Section 144 in Karachi, deploying a massive police presence, including plainclothes officers, at locations where protesters from the Sindh Rawadari March (SRM) and the religious extremist organization Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) were scheduled to gather.
Progressive voices, activists, poets, and authors from throughout Sindh joined the March in Karachi. The situation was tense; initially, no protesters were visible, but later, activist Dr. Sorath Sindh, along with her sister Meeran, made their way to the press club to join the SRM. Female police officers were instructed to arrest them. Dr. Sorath resisted, pointing out that Section 144 did not allow small gatherings. “Why are you arresting us when are not chanting slogans? Our only crime is being Sindhi and raising our voices against injustice,” she said. Nevertheless, police arrested both her and her sister.
Meanwhile, journalists at the main gate of the Karachi Press Club found themselves surrounded by containers and local buses placed to block the roads.
Finally, the protesters arrived peacefully, chanting slogans against religious extremism and demanding justice for Dr. Shahnawaz Kanbhar, as well as rights for Sindh. However, as the march advanced toward the Press Club, police brutally attacked them. Despite this, the protesters remained undeterred, encouraging one another to keep moving forward.
Jami Chandio, a renewed author, harshly criticized the government, stating that it had unleashed violence against peaceful protestors. “This is not a democratic government; indeed, it is a dictatorship. Today, they should all be ashamed of themselves,” he said.
When the march reached the Karachi Press Club, protesters attempted to hold a sit-in near the entrance, but the police responded with force, beating them and tearing their shirts while grabbing them by the hair. Female protesters experienced both violence and humiliation at the hands of the police. Distinguished authors and singers: Jami Chandio, Saif Samajo, Bakhshal Thalko, Roomasa Jami, Sindhu Nawaz, Marui Awani, Qazi Khizer, Aliya, and Fozia Singhar, were among those targeted. Journalists were also beaten and arrested.
Roomasa Jami, an advocate was severely beaten while trying to protect her father, Jami, who was being dragged away by the police. Many protesters and journalists shouted that he, a renewed author of Sindh, should not have been treated this way. In her distress, Roomasa cried out, “Baba, Baba, Baba,” pleading to protect her father as the police dragged her away by her arms and legs.
At the same time, singer Saif Samajo was violently beaten, his shirt torn, as four to five police officers faced him into a police vehicle. Bakhshal was dragged by his hair and assaulted, while Qazi Khizer faced similarly brutal treatment.
Police Attack Journalists
Saeed Sarbazi, President of the Karachi Press Club, stated that Section 144 does not apply to the press club, which has been designated as a Hyde Park venue for protests and speeches. He condemned the police for beating journalists, seizing their cameras, and blocking all routes to the press club. The police justified the crackdown, stating the arrival of foreign dignitaries in Islamabad and concerns about a protest tarnishing the country’s image.
Lanjar announced action against police officers involved in the arrest and torture of women protesters and journalists in Karachi on Sunday. He expressed concerns about law and order after protests for Dr. Shahnawaz Kanbhar, despite Section 144 being in effect. However, members of the Sindh Rawadari March claimed that the Sindh government had already been informed about the protest.
Policemen chanted the slogan Naare Takbeer while beating protesters
The police turned the gate of the Karachi Press Club into a torture site, intent on beating every person. Even the strong sticks used by the police officers were breaking, with one policeman laughing about it. Some officers chanted “Narre Takhbeer” while attacking the protesters. A man in plainclothes berated the police, called them Beghairat, Shameless for not being more violent.
Although all the protesters were eventually released, the police have since filed a First Information Report (FIR) against the members of the march. Critics argue that while the Pakistan People’s Party condemns the violence, its police force simultaneously files charges against peaceful protesters.
TLP’s Counter-Protest
Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan held a counter-protest, praising the police for killing Dr. Shahnawaz Kanbhar. When TLP protesters moved into the Red Zone, clashes erupted with police, resulting in the death of one TLP worker and injuries to several others, including police officers.
