February 8 PTI protest: Key Karachi roads likely to be blocked as 180 detained

2026-02-02 - 05:46

KARACHI – Authorities in southern port city of Karachi are likely to close several key roads as 180 individuals have been detailed under the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) Act amid possible protest by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on 8 February 2026. The Sindh Home Department said these arrests have been made for a 30-day period, with the 51 detainees (51) coming from the East Zone. This move has been strongly condemned by Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Sindh Presdient Haleem Adil Sheikh, who demanded the immediate release of all arrested leaders and workers. He criticized the government’s actions, asserting that raids were being carried out at the homes of PTI leaders and workers across Sindh, leading to further arrests. “We are peaceful political people, and we believe in constitutional and democratic struggle. These actions are unjustified, and we will not back down,” the PTI leader stated, calling for the release of all detainees and the cessation of such activities. Meanwhile, PTI workers’ arrests under the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) 3 have been challenged in the Sindh High Court. The petition was filed by PTI Sindh General Secretary, Mansoor Ali, and others, naming the Chief Secretary of Sindh, the Secretary of the Interior, the Inspector General of Sindh Police, and others as respondents. The court accepted the request for the immediate hearing of the case. The petitioners argued that on 1 February, the Sindh government issued a notification under MPO 3, which led to the detention of 180 PTI workers. The petition further stated that PTI had announced a shutter-down strike and peaceful protests for 8 February. PTI’s lawyer, Ali Tahir, requested the court to annul the notification issued under MPO 3, claiming it was unlawful.