HYDERABAD: Officials of district and taluka administrations, municipal bodies, education department and members of civil society took out processions, staged rallies and walks in several Sindh towns on Thursday to condemn May 9 riots and express solidarity with Pakistan Army.

In Hyderabad, a motley crowd of people along with administration officials brought out a procession titled “Paigham-e-Aman” to condemn May 9 events.

Deputy Commissioner Tariq Qureshi, who led the procession largely participated by government officials, said the riots undermined the country’s sovereignty and called for collective efforts to promote harmony and stability. Participants in the rally called for action against the elements who tried to disrupt peace in the country.

Members of religious minorities also staged a rally and demanded stern action against the May 9 rioters.

In Karachi, a number of events were held including rallies, prayer congregations and walks to mark the May 9 riots, show solidarity with Pakistan Army and condemn the “anti-state” elements who attempted to “create divide” between people and armed forces.

“On May 9, monuments of our martyrs and army installations were attacked which can never be forgotten and forgiven,” said federal minister and Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan leader Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqi at a press conference.

“But the question arises about the role of our judiciary which has not yet convicted those who are responsible for the violence. The people of Pakistan and judiciary must stand together so that no one can dare again to challenge Pakistan’s line of defense,” he said.

Pakistan Rah-i-Haq Party took out a procession from Civic Centre to Mazar-i-Quaid while Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid organised Quran Khwani and prayers congregation at its provincial headquarters.

In Nawabshah, officials of government departments took out processions to express solidarity with Pakistan Army and condemn May 9 riots.

District education officer Saleem Bhatti led a procession, which started from DEO office and ended outside local press club. Activists of National Peace Committee, Pakistan Zindabad Movement (PZM), Majlis-i-Quaid-i-Azam Pakistan staged rallies.

Students of Sir Syed government high school held a demonstration against May 9 riots in Tando Adam and demanded punishment for the rioters. Similarly, Hindu community strongly condemned May 9 incident and demanded immediate action against the culprits.

In Naushahro Feroze, members of PZM took out a procession. Similar rallies were staged in Kandiaro.

In Mirpurkhas, processions were taken out in the city and other towns of the district to slam May 9 incident. Mirpurkhas district council chairman Mir Anwer Ali Khan Talpur also condemned May 9 incidents.

In Umerkot, a function was held at Government Girls Degree College to slam the May riots.

Similar processions were taken out in support of Pakistan Army in Sukkur, Jacobabad, Khairpur, Gotki, Kandhkot-Kashmore and Shikarpur districts.

In Sukkur, district education officials and civil society members staged rallies and demanded legal action against May 9 miscreants.

In Jacobabad, officials of district administration and municipal committee held separate rallies to express solidarity with Pakistan Army. DC, AC, Anjuman Tajiran and others led the rallies. The leaders said that the May 9 tragedy could not be forgotten.

They demanded the government continue to crack down on the miscreants who were involved in May 9 riots so that no one could ever dare repeat such acts.

Crackdown on PTI in Thatta

Thatta police rounded up several workers and supporters of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf when they assembled outside local press club to protest against prolonged incarceration of former Prime Minister Imran Khan.

A heavy contingent of police surrounded the press club and whisked away PTI’s district president Syed Amjad Ali Shah, general secretary Advocate Housh Mohammad Abbasi and Murad Sahani. Police were raiding different areas to arrest PTI supporters and activists.

Published in Dawn, May 10th, 2024