Several detained in Karachi after motorcycles set ablaze during Jamat-e-Islami strike

KARACHI: Police have detained several people following an incident in which two motorcycles were set on fire at Korangi Crossing on Thursday during a nationwide shutter-down strike called by Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), with Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah ordering an immediate and transparent investigation.

Police from Zaman Town said multiple individuals had been taken into custody and that an investigation into the incident was under way. JI has denied involvement in the Korangi Crossing incident, with its spokesperson saying the party had no connection with the arson and was unaware of the episode.

According to police, unidentified individuals had erected barricades and set tyres alight near Korangi Crossing before setting two motorcycles parked along the road on fire. Police reached the scene after which those involved fled, and Korangi Road was subsequently reopened to traffic. Additional police personnel were deployed in the area.

Shah took notice of the incident and directed the inspector general of police to complete an investigation and submit a report at the earliest. He also ordered the immediate arrest of those responsible for setting the motorcycles ablaze and called for action against anyone attempting to disturb peace in Karachi.

“Miscreants will not be allowed to disrupt the city’s peace and security under any circumstances,” the chief minister said.

He directed police to ensure the protection of citizens’ lives and property and ordered stronger and more effective patrolling in Korangi and adjoining areas.

“There will be no compromise on the safety of citizens and the maintenance of law and order,” Shah said.

The incident occurred as JI observed a nationwide shutter-down strike over petroleum prices and the petroleum levy. The party has claimed that traders in several cities supported its call and that markets, shops and petrol stations remained closed in different areas.

The strike was announced by JI Amir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman, who had said traders in cities including Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi and Islamabad would support the shutdown.

JI began protest sit-ins across the country on August 15, presenting several demands including the withdrawal of the petroleum levy and measures to address inflation. After 18 days of protests, the party announced the nationwide shutter-down strike, saying its demands had not been accepted.

Other disruptions were also reported in Karachi during the strike. In Surjani Town, unidentified individuals reportedly placed barriers on a road, temporarily preventing traffic from passing.

Sharjeel Memon condemns arson incident

Meanwhile, Sindh government spokesperson and Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon condemned incidents of arson, vandalism and road blockades during the strike.

Memon said JI had the right to protest peacefully but could not be allowed to damage public property or disrupt the lives of citizens.

“Making citizens’ lives difficult for political purposes and creating unrest in the city is highly regrettable,” he said. He warned that using demonstrations as a pretext to spread fear or challenge the law would not be tolerated.

“Those who challenge the writ of the state will be dealt with strictly in accordance with the law,” Memon said.

He added that those responsible for setting fires, blocking roads or damaging property would be brought before the law, stressing that efforts to disrupt normal life in Karachi would not be allowed to succeed.

Despite the strike, educational institutions in Karachi remained open and students continued to attend schools as normal.

JI claims more than 300 markets have been shut

JI Karachi Amir Munim Zafar Munim Zafar said the strike was being observed peacefully across Karachi, with more than 300 small and large markets closed in response to the party’s call. Speaking at a press conference at Khatm-e-Nabuwwat Chowk, he said traders and other sections of society had joined the protest against the petroleum levy, inflation, power shortages and rising electricity bills.

He said, “We reject the levy imposed on the people as a form of extortionate taxation and will not accept this burden.” Zafar also accused the government of ignoring the economic hardships faced by citizens and businesses, saying industries were suffering from prolonged power outages while consumers were receiving heavy electricity bills. “People are distressed while the government remains busy with its own luxuries; the public cannot be forced to pay more in the name of the levy,” he said.

Zafar said Jamaat-e-Islami’s campaign would continue alongside the business community and alleged that authorities were using what he called coercive tactics to weaken the movement. He claimed party workers were being arrested in areas including Lyari and Korangi and demanded their immediate release. At the same time, he distanced the party from incidents of arson and violence reported in parts of the city, saying unidentified “miscreant elements” were responsible.

“Our strike is peaceful, and we condemn anyone using arson or violence in its name,” he said. Zafar claimed hundreds of markets had responded to the strike call and praised traders for supporting the protest against rising prices. He said the closure of markets demonstrated public dissatisfaction with government policies and called for an end to prolonged load-shedding and measures he said were damaging businesses and industry.