The Shia Ulema Council staged a huge sit-in at Numaish on MA Jinnah road on Friday against target killings of Shias.

Maulana Nazir Abbas Taqvi, who led the rally, demanded from the government to arrest the killers of Shias, who included lawyers, engineers, doctors and businessmen.

 A large number of men, women, children and senior citizens participated in the sit-in, which began at 3pm and continued into the night. They chanted slogans against the government for failing to take action against those involved in sectarian killings.

The protest caused gridlock in Saddar and adjoining areas, leaving motorists and commuters stranded for hours. Traffic was diverted from MA Jinnah Road to alternative routes, due to which a massive traffic jam was reported in the adjoining areas up to Hotel Metropole and Sharea Faisal.

Speaking on the occasion, Maulana Taqvi demanded of the government to take strict measures for the arrest of the killers so as to inculcate a sense of security among the Shia community.

He disclosed that more than 600 Shias had been killed in Karachi this year alone, adding that the government had miserably failed to arrest the target killers, while the police and Rangers had been acting as silent spectators.

The Shia Ulema Council members blocked MA Jinnah road at 3pm after Friday prayers, and the protest sit-in was continuing till our going to press late at night. 

The council spokesman, Ali Ahmer, said that no talks were held with any government functionary. He added that the sit-in would continue till the acceptance of their demands.

Heavy contingents of police and Rangers were deployed to avert any ugly incident.

source : http://abna.ir