Police disperse rally from advancing towards US Consulate in Karachi

KARACHI: Police on Sunday resorted to baton charge and fired tear gas shells to stop a rally marching towards the US Consulate in Karachi, ARY News reported. 

The rally was organised by the Imamia Student Organisation (ISO), and was intended to march from Numaish to the US Consulate located on MT Khan Road. However, the rally was forcefully dispersed near the Shah-e-Khurasan Imambargah by police to prevent them from marching towards the US consulate.

The participants had organised the anti-US rally to protest against the recent statement by US President Donald Trump who accused Pakistan of providing safe havens to terror groups.

Additional IG Police said that only three to four members of the rally will be escorted to the consulate to submit their resolution. The police negotiated with the rally organisers who were determined to organise the rally outside the consulate.

A large police contingent was deployed and all roads leading to the US consulate  and from Numaish were closed for several hours leading to severe traffic gridlock in the area. Several members of rally were also arrested, while sound system was confiscated by the police.

A few hours later ISO representatives successfully negotiated with police, and agreed not to march towards the US consulate, and peacefully disperse after evening prayers.