Rangers detained several Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) London activists while they tried to hoist the party flag and write slogans on Liaquat Ali Khan Chowk, DawnNews reported on Friday.
While talking to the media about the incident, Rangers sector commander Brig Naseem Ahmad said, "Some people sat on the road reciting the Holy Quran. Some women came to us and requested permission to do recitation and the permission was granted."
"When these women returned, some male party workers raised party slogans and started putting up party flags in the area. The police took action on this and arrested some of the workers," he added.
When asked about the number of people detained, he said the people creating chaos were taken in.
As a result of the detention many party workers conducted a sit in on the road leading from Ayesha Manzil to Yadgar-e-Shuhada, disrupting the flow of traffic.
Liaquat Ali Khan Chowk was previously known as Mukka Chowk and holds a symbolic significance for MQM party workers.
Unrest at Pakka Qila
Around half a dozen activists of Muttahida Qaumi Movement-London were taken into custody after a heavy contingent of police resorted to teargas shelling and baton charge against them when they raised pro-Altaf slogans at Pakka Qila after Friday prayers.
Around 1,000 people gathered at the graves of their slain workers after entering the Qilla from its rear side.
After holding a memorial programme, the activists started raising pro-Altaf slogans. The slogans continued after they were asked by a senior police official to leave as the memorial had concluded.
Police then resorted to baton charge, tear gas shelling and aerial shooting. It led to a stampede in and outside Pakkaa Qilla, causing minor injuries to some protesters.
At some distance from the graveyard at Pakka Qilla, MQM - Pakistan was also observing a memorial inside Pakka Qilla. While permission to hold a memorial was denied to MQM – London, it was granted to MQM – Pakistan.
Protesters also pelted police officials with stones. A case has been registered at Fort police station under sections 6/7 of ATA against the protesters.
SSP Irfan Baloch said protesters were raising anti-Pakistan slogans.
“They (MQM - London) had no permission to organise any event and they tried to intrude therefore police had to resort to tear gas shelling to disperse them”, he said.
