Police used tear gas shells and batons to disperse and arrest dozens of activists participating in the Sindh Rawadari March, who were protesting the killing of blasphemy suspect Dr. Shahnawaz Kunbhar. The demonstration defied Section 144, imposed by the Karachi Commissioner to prohibit gatherings of more than five people across the city.
Clashes erupted outside the Karachi Press Club as participants resisted arrest. Among those detained was Sufi singer Saif Samejo, although singer and philanthropist Shehzad Roy later confirmed that Samejo was "safe and home."
The Sindh High Court Bar Association (SHCBA), represented by Vice President Zubair Ahmed Abro, condemned the government's use of force against peaceful protesters, asserting that the right to assemble is constitutionally guaranteed. The statement highlighted the arrests of four female activists and two lawyers, Amar Haseeb Panhwar and Sawan Sindhi, citing unlawful detention and mistreatment by police, including being confined in an armored personnel carrier.
“While appreciating role of Karachi Bar Association and regretting upon silence of the Sindh High Court Bar Association, I condemn actions of the Sindh Government and demand action against police officers involved in custodial torture and illegal confinement of advocates from three swords,” the statement read.
Reports indicated that over 100 protesters were taken into custody from various locations in the city, including outside the Karachi Press Club, Hotel Metropole, and Jinnah Hospital. South Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Syed Asad Raza confirmed that around 20 individuals, including women, were detained.
In a separate incident near the Governor House, police deployed tear gas against a counter-protest organized by a religious group. This led to protesters hurling stones at riot police, injuring two officers and reportedly setting a police van on fire.