KARACHI: At least twelve protesters were injured when a scuffle broke out between the police and Pakistan Quarters residents after authorities attempted to evict them under a Supreme Court order.
According to reports, a large number of protesters, including children, women and men, started pelting stones at the police team and shouted anti-government slogans. “The vote was given for ‘change’ but we do not need such a change that deprives citizens of their houses”, they chanted, also claiming that they had registries of their homes.
They asked if the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government was constructing 5 million houses by depriving the people of their shelter.
A heavy contingent of police personnel in riot-gear swarmed the site and resorted to baton charge. The security forces also used water cannon and fired tear gas to disperse the demonstrators.
A woman fell unconscious due to suffocation caused by tear-gas shelling, while twelve other protesters were wounded and a number of others were taken into custody.
Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leaders Farooq Sattar, Kanwer Naveed Jameel and Aamir Khan also joined the protest and demanded the government not to evict Pakistan Quarters. Sattar said that the residents have not illegally occupied quarters meant for federal government employees and that the past governments had assured them that they will not be forced out of their residences.
Farooq Sattar appealed the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Justice Saqib Nisar to take suo motu notice of the case.
Meanwhile, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah issued directives to the police to stop action against the protesters. He directed the Additional Inspector General of police to pull the police force out of the area.