Section 144 was imposed as police broke up a gathering, arresting nine people; protests were also reported in other cities of Sindh
Police officers arrest Pakistani Tehreek-e-Insaf supporters during a protest against the 27th constitutional amendment in Karachi, November 21, 2025. PHOTO: AFP
The Karachi administration stopped the Tehreek-e-Tahaffuz-e-Ain from holding a protest in front of the Karachi Press Club against the 27th constitutional amendment, thereby implementing the ban on public gatherings under Article 144.
Police arrested at least nine people as authorities closed all roads leading to the press club and diverted traffic to other roads, causing chaos in the city center. Although the PTI claimed that around two dozen activists were evacuated from outside the CPK, senior police officers confirmed online that nine of them were briefly taken into custody and then released.
Traders and shoppers at the business and commercial centers of Zainab Market, Zaibunnissa Street, Abdullah Haroon Road, Empress Market and adjoining areas were arrested as innocent bystanders as police chased adamant protesters in one of the city’s busiest areas.
According to officials, Section 144 has been imposed across Karachi, restricting all public gatherings, rallies and processions. Anticipating TTAP’s call for a citywide protest, police began blocking roads around the press club from early in the afternoon. Heavy contingents, including women officers, were deployed at Fawwara Chowk, main entrances to the KPC, Abdullah Haroon Road and adjoining streets to ensure that no groups could gather.
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Barbed wire, containers and temporary barricades disrupted routine movements, causing a standoff that spread to II Chundrigar Road, Saddar, Empress Market and surrounding commercial areas. Motorists were stranded for hours as police intercepted protesters trying to reach the protest site.
Witnesses said TTAP leaders and workers attempted to gather at several locations, including Empress Market, Regal Chowk and Rex Centre, but mobile police units repeatedly dispersed them. Several activists were arrested and transferred to nearby police stations after brief chases and scuffles.
Traffic remained paralyzed in the main corridors, with police and demonstrators engaging in repeated rounds of cat and mouse throughout the afternoon. Commuters faced long delays, while traders in Saddar reported a drop in footfall due to road closures. Traffic was not restored until late in the evening, after the demonstrators had dispersed.
Mahzor Ali, SSP South, confirmed that nine people were initially arrested for violating Article 144. “The situation remained under control throughout the day. Our priority was to prevent any illegal gatherings and ensure public safety,” he said.
TTAP calls it a “Black Day” province-wide
Meanwhile, TTAP issued a statement declaring Friday “Black Day” across Sindh to protest against the 27th Constitutional Amendment, which the group says undermines the Constitution. Protests were held in front of press clubs and central squares in Hyderabad, Mirpurkhas, Sanghar, Sukkur, Larkana, Umerkot, Ghotki and other districts.
Participants tied black armbands and marched in small processions, chanting slogans against what they called an “unconstitutional and forceful amendment.”
In Karachi, Pakistan, Tehreek-e-Insaf, a key player in the TTAP coalition, had separately announced a protest outside the press club. However, the massive police deployment prevented the rally and several of its members were arrested.
PTI Sindh President Haleem Adil Sheikh, Karachi President Raja Azad, General Secretary Arslan Khalid and representatives of its women’s wing, Insaf Youth Wing, Insaf Lawyers’ Forum, Labor Wing and other bodies then gathered at Regal Chowk, where they staged a small protest.
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The protesters raised slogans against the 27th Amendment and demanded immediate release of PTI founder Imran Khan. Police intervened to disperse the crowd and arrested more than two dozen activists, according to PTI leaders.
Addressing his supporters, Sheikh said the amendment had “mutilated the Constitution of Pakistan” and did not reflect the will of the public. “This amendment, imposed by force and without public consent, is unacceptable. Imran Khan must be released immediately,” he said.
He also expressed deep concern over the country’s economic situation, saying political instability had pushed Pakistan towards inflation, unemployment and financial deterioration. “A government that survives on a stolen mandate cannot introduce reforms. Instead of serving the people, it introduces amendments only to secure itself,” he told the assembly.
Condemning what he described as “police authoritarianism”, he demanded the immediate release of all detained workers. “Peaceful protest is a fundamental and constitutional right. Any attempt to suppress it must be condemned,” he said.
