Police release Mustafa Kamal, others after brief detention

KARACHI: Police have released Pak Sarzameen Party leaders Mustafa Kamal, Raza Haroon and Dr Sagheer after brief detention on Sunday

Police made the arrests earlier while shelling tear gas at protesters to stop them from reaching the Chief Minister House.

PSP Chairman Kamal said that the party workers had not entered Red Zone. At the time of his arrest, further adding that police is taking him into custody for demanding water for the children of Karachi.

According to police sources, authorities are considering to press charges against the party's leadership comprising anti-terrorism clauses.

The other two leaders were shifted in a prison van after being taken into custody by the police authorities. PSP leader Anis Advocate has also been taken into custody.

Police also arrested more than 20 party workers. Anees Qaimkhani was hit by water canon, although party workers, later on, surrounded him to save him from any harm.

Speaking to the media, PSP leader Asif Hasnain said that they party was just demanding water for the city. Women and children were shelled with tear gas, he said, adding that the federal government should intervene in the matter.

Many of our workers, including two girls, are missing, he remarked.

Sindh has a dictatorial government, he added.  

During the clash PSP President Anees Qaimkhani was hit by water canon, although party workers, later on, surrounded him to save him from any harm.

Later on, while speaking to Geo News Qaimkhani said that he's at a safe location with party workers.

The entire central leadership of PSP other than its Qaimkhani has been taken into custody.

Later, police uprooted the party's camp at the FTC on Shahra-e-Faisal.

Police also used water cannon to disperse the crowd gathered near Aisha Bawany Academy.   

Police officials claimed that they took the action against the PSP rally because the party was only given permission to protest till East zone and the crackdown began when the protesters entered the South zone.

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Interior Minister condemns arrest of PSP leaders

Meanwhile, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan condemned the arrest of the PSP leaders. Nisar said the action against a peaceful political rally is completely illogical.  

Police sources informed that more than 20 people have been arrested and shifted within the remits of Artillery Maidan police station.

Earlier, the talks between Pak Sarzameen Party and Pakistan Peoples`Party  failed to reach a breakthrough.

The PSP representatives said that the party would only re-enter into negotiations only when the authorities let its protestors gather outside the Chief Minister House. The four-member PPP delegation; included Murtaza Wahab, Rashid Rabbani and Waqar Mehdi and was led by Sindh Health Minister Dr Sikandar Ali Mandhro.

The negotiations were held near Aisha Bawany Academy.

'No Red Zone for public'

Earlier PSP President Anis Qaimkhani said that there is no 'Red Zone' for the public. We will come out on the streets no matter what for the sake of our children's future.

This was stated by Pak Sarzameen Party (PSP) President Anis Qaimkhani while addressing the media at his party's protest camp at Shahrah-e-Faisal.

PSP planned to hold a 'Million March' on Sunday from Shahrah-e-Faisal to the Chief Minister House. The purpose of the rally — led by PSP chief and former city mayor Mustafa Kamal — is to press the provincial government to supply residents of the metropolis with basic necessities.

Speaking to the media, Qaimkhani claimed they had obtained permission for their rally. "Come 6pm they [Sindh government] won’t know what hit them as hundreds of thousands will be out on the streets."

Earlier in the day, Commissioner Ejaz Ahmed Khan stated that a ban [Section 144] on assembly of persons in the Red Zone — where the Chief Minister House is situated — will be strictly enforced.  

As part of the PSP rally, protesters will gather near FTC bridge on Shahrah-e-Faisal to march to the CM House.

Police have finalised a traffic plan so that commuters do not face difficulties while travelling around the route of the rally. For instance, those coming from Korangi, Landhi and Defence will pass from Korangi Road, Korangi Industrial Area and then Shah Faisal Colony to go towards the airport.

The march is being held to protest against the authorities for not providing the public with basic necessities such as water and electricity. The demands are a part of a 16-point list that the party has put forward.

During a recent press conference, Kamal lashed out at the city mayor regarding the K-IV water project, saying the latter did not know where the water will come from and where it will go, with regards to the project.  

Read: Mustafa Kamal lashes out at Karachi Mayor over K-IV project

He also said PSP held an 18-day protest outside Karachi Press Club for the rights of the people. “We even held negotiations with the government, but our 16-point demand was not approved,” he remarked. “We just want the people to be provided with water, electricity and garbage disposal facilities."