KARACHI:
A protest by the Sindh Employees Grand Alliance turned violent as negotiations over salary increases failed. A large number of employees gathered outside the Karachi Press Club to stage a protest, demanding payment of pensioners’ dues, increase in salaries and pensions by 70 per cent, and increase in the Disparity Reduction Allowance (DRA), and House Rent Allowance by 50 per cent. A government delegation, including the provincial energy minister and city commissioner, tried negotiating with the protesters, however, talks failed, prompting the protesters to march towards the CM House. Police tried to block them by placing barricades on the roads around the press club, however, protesters crossed the obstacles and entered the Red Zone, reaching Polo Ground. They were pushed back towards the press club, with the chaos continuing at Fawara Chowk near Saddar.
Police resorted to tear gas shelling, resulting in a clash with the protesters, which turned Fawara Chowk and the surrounding areas into a battleground, causing severe traffic congestion, and resulting in some people, including a female cop, falling ill due to tear gas exposure. Over 20 protesters were also arrested.