Karachi, Pakistan – Web Desk – Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon on Tuesday strongly condemned violence by Jamaat-e-Islami workers during a protest in Karachi, saying while citizens have the right to protest, no one has the right to damage public property or attack law enforcement officials.
Addressing the Sindh Assembly, Memon highlighted that JI’s assembly member, Mohammad Farooq, and others attempted to enter the Red Zone despite police warnings. “Our officers were pelted with stones by protesters. These are human beings with families, not targets for violence,” he said.
Memon criticized JI for organizing unauthorized demonstrations, including a recent gathering on Shahrah-e-Faisal, which caused public inconvenience. He urged political leaders to communicate with the government through formal channels, such as parliamentary discussions, instead of provoking street violence.
Earlier, Mohammad Farooq defended the protest, stating it aimed to highlight Karachi’s civic issues, including water shortages, and demanded the city receive its rightful share of taxes. Farooq accused authorities of repeated arrests and using anti-terrorism laws against political activists, while displaying photos of injured supporters inside the assembly.
PTI lawmaker Shabbir Qureshi also condemned police violence against political workers during recent demonstrations.
Responding, Memon apologized on behalf of the government for any harm caused to MPs, assuring that action will be taken against responsible officers. He contrasted this with the PTI’s tenure, citing arrests and alleged political oppression during their rule, including the detention of former leaders like Faryal Talpur and Agha Siraj Durrani.
The Sindh Assembly session was later adjourned until 12 p.m. Tuesday.
