KARACHI: Police on Sunday arrested Jamaat-e-Islami leaders Karachi’s acting chief Muslim Pervaiz, Sindh Assembly member Muhammad Farooq and several other party leaders during a press conference held outside the Election Commission of Pakistan’s Sindh office.
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According to Jamaat-e-Islami, the arrests took place while party leaders were addressing a peaceful press conference, with police intervening before the briefing could conclude. The party described the action as an unjustified crackdown on political activity and freedom of expression.
JI officials said police also ordered the closure of nearby shops and hotels in the area. Among those detained were district chiefs Sufyan Dilawar and Mudassar Hussain Ansari, along with several other party office-bearers.
جماعت اسلامی کراچی کے قائم مقام امیر مسلم پرویز ، رکن سندھ اسمبلی محمد فاروق سمیت دیگر زمہ داران کو گرفتار کرلیا گیا۔۔
گرفتاری عوامی پریس کانفرنس کے دوران ہی شروع کی گئی۔
پولیس انتظامیہ کی جانب سے الیکشن کمیشن سندھ کے دفتر کے باہر تمام دکانیں اور ہوٹلز بھی بند کردیے گئے۔
گرفتار… pic.twitter.com/QqCyCAdH6R— Jamaat Islami Karachi East (@JIKarachiEast) February 8, 2026
Sources said tensions escalated after authorities objected to the setting up of a protest camp outside the Election Commission office, prompting police action against the gathering.
The arrests come amid heightened political activity by Jamaat-e-Islami following its “Jeenay Do Karachi” (Let Karachi Live) march held on Shahrah-e-Faisal last Sunday. Addressing the rally, JI Pakistan chief Engineer Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman had announced a protest sit-in outside the Sindh Assembly on February 14 and warned the ruling Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) to “pack up.”
Earlier, on February 2, police registered a case against Jamaat-e-Islami Karachi’s leadership and activists in connection with the march. The party termed the move political victimisation and an attempt to suppress dissent.
According to police records, First Information Report (FIR) No. 26/37 was lodged at Tipu Sultan Police Station against JI Karachi chief Munim Zafar and around 1,000 party workers, activists and supporters. The FIR alleged that some participants dug up sections of Shahrah-e-Faisal with sharp tools and erected tents on the roadway.
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Responding to the case, a JI spokesperson said legal action against peaceful protesters would not silence public voices. The party reiterated that it would proceed with its planned sit-in outside the Sindh Assembly on February 14, insisting that intimidation would not deter its movement for the rights of Karachi residents.