LAHORE – Sindh Employees Alliance turned chaotic on Monday as Karachi police used water cannons and tear gas to disperse demonstrators who gathered outside Karachi Press Club.
The protest resulted in arrest of two dozen teachers and left a female police officer unconscious due to heavy tear gas exposure. The protest started near the Press Club and quickly spread to surrounding areas, including Press Club Chowrangi. As demonstrators attempted to march toward the Sindh Chief Minister’s House, they were stopped by police forces in front of the Polo Ground.
As agitators demanded 70pc increase in salaries and pensions, authorities resorted to water cannons and heavy shelling of tear gas.
A female police officer fainted during the clash and was rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment. Law enforcement also detained more than two dozen teachers participating in the protest.
Traffic in port city center came to halt as major roads, including Ziauddin Ahmed Road and routes leading to PIDC Chowk, were closed. The traffic police confirmed that both inbound and outbound lanes were sealed off, and commuters were diverted to alternate routes, causing significant congestion.
Heavy contingents of police were deployed at PIDC Chowk, where containers were placed to block access to the Chief Minister’s House. Protesters later announced plans to head toward Bilawal House if their demands were not met.
