Cops who tortured women demonstrators in Karachi suspended

At least 10 police personnel, including Eidgah Station House Officer (SHO) Zaheer Ahmed, have been suspended for manhandling women protesters and journalists during a demonstration in the port city on Sunday.

The suspensions come after two groups of protesters defied Section 144, imposed by Karachi Commissioner Syed Hassan Naqvi, and clashed with police on October 13.

The protests, held in connection with the killing of murdered blasphemy suspect Dr. Shahnawaz Kunbhar, resulted in over 100 arrests across the metropolis, including outside the Karachi Press Club, Hotel Metropole, and Jinnah Hospital. 

According to South Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Syed Asad Raza, a departmental inquiry has been initiated against the suspended officials, who were identified with the help of CCTV footage.

It should be noted that participants of the "Sindh Rawadari March" clashed with police outside the press club while resisting arrests for violating Section 144. 

Earlier in the day, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) senior leader Senator Sherry Rehman apologised for the violence on behalf of the party.

"We are a democratic party and rights of citizens have to be protected and respected even if they were in violation of todays 144. I have spoken on the phone from Islamabad to many who were mistreated, and apologised, and appreciate their understanding," she wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

"We all condemn & we are all disgusted and ashamed of the violent treatment against peaceful protesters."

Moreover, Sindh Home Minister Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar has summoned a report from Sindh Inspector General (IG) Ghulam Nabi Memon.