A significant Karachi Police File Terrorism Case Against 400 Over Violent Rally on Sindh Culture Day was registered after the celebration turned chaotic on Sunday. Police booked nearly 400 people under anti-terrorism charges after one rally on Sindh Culture Day reportedly became violent on Shahrah e Faisal.
Karachi police dispersed rally participants using tear gas when they attempted to enter the Red Zone from Shahrah e Faisal. Officers detained 45 individuals on the scene. Twelve of them were released later.
FIR Filed Under Anti Terrorism Laws
According to the FIR, the case includes twelve people arrested on the spot and 300 to 400 unidentified individuals. The FIR carries multiple Pakistan Penal Code sections, including attempted murder, obstruction, violence, and destruction of property. It also includes Section 7 of the Anti Terrorism Act.
Inspector Abdul Majeed Abro stated that police arrived near the FTC flyover around 2:30 pm when a rally of 300 to 400 people on motorcycles and vehicles tried moving from the airport side toward Saddar.
Police attempted to stop the rally as Section 144 was imposed across Sindh. Instead, the crowd blocked the road, hurled stones at police, and allegedly fired shots. Rally participants also damaged passing vehicles, including a police mobile and an ambulance, while raising anti state slogans.
Stone Pelting Injuries and Traffic Blockage
DIG South Syed Asad Raza reported that police guided rally members to take an alternative route toward Saddar and the Karachi Press Club. The participants insisted on using Shahrah e Faisal through Jinnah Bridge. When stopped, they attacked officers with stones, injuring five policemen. Tear gas was then used for crowd control.
He added that the FTC flyover had been blocked due to expected congestion from multiple rallies expected to gather before heading to KPC. Around 10 to 12 rallies arrived from different locations. An estimated 17,000 to 18,000 participants eventually reached Fawara Chowk near the Karachi Press Club.
Sindh Culture Day, celebrated every first Sunday of December since 2009, showcases Sindh’s heritage through folk music, theatre, seminars, and cultural gatherings. Political parties, social groups, and government institutions take part in these celebrations.
Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hasan Lanjar took notice of the violence and directed immediate action against those involved.
