The Karachi police on Monday foiled a rally planned by MQM-London (MQM-L) to commemorate the party’s martyrs’ day near its former headquarters in Azizabad and detained several workers and leaders.

Central Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Zeeshan Shafiq Siddiqi confirmed to Dawn.com that a total of 24 MQM-L workers were detained, as the Karachi commissioner imposed a ban on rallies in the Central district earlier today.

“They have been arrested for violation of Section 144,” the SSP said, adding that a first information report (FIR) would be registered against them.

Section 144 is a legal provision that empowers district administrations to prohibit an assembly of four or more people in an area for a limited period.

The SSP denied resorting to baton charges against the workers. Footage being shared on social media showed that a significant number of policemen caught the protesters when they gathered near Mukka Chowk in Azizabad.

Social media posts from various figures and politicians associated with the MQM-L criticised the detentions and arrests.

According to a notification issued by Karachi Commissioner Syed Hassan Naqvi earlier today, a copy of which is available with Dawn.com, the Karachi additional inspector general of police warned in a letter dated December 8 that “miscreant and disgruntled elements may disturb the peace and tranquillity and can create law and order situation in District Central”.

The Karachi police requested the imposition of Section 144 on pillion riding and protests, demonstrations, rallies and the public assembly of more than four persons “in order to prevent any untoward situation in District Central, Karachi”.

The notification said that Section 144 on the aforementioned activities would remain in place until Tuesday.

Opinion

Revival? For whom?

Revival? For whom?

Numerous sets of numbers, not quoted by govt sources, suggest that things are not as dazzling as claimed by those who run the country.

Editorial

Premature alarm
Updated 20 Feb, 2025

Premature alarm

Improvement in headline inflation gives policymakers chance to fix investment policies, implement structural reforms.
Forsaken province
20 Feb, 2025

Forsaken province

AND the endless cycle of violence continues. The brutal killing on Tuesday night of seven Punjab-bound passengers in...
In poor health
20 Feb, 2025

In poor health

THE absence of decent and affordable healthcare in the country continues to ruin lives. An example of this is ...
Out of control
Updated 19 Feb, 2025

Out of control

AS bodies continue to fall in Kurram despite a state-sanctioned ceasefire, one wonders how long local militants’...
Hollow words
19 Feb, 2025

Hollow words

IT is not uncommon for politicians to resort to the use of hyperbole in order to boost their public standing. ...
Migration matters
19 Feb, 2025

Migration matters

THE grass, it seems, did appear greener on the other side to millions of people as evidenced by the latest UN ...