KARACHI - Situation turned chaotic when intense firing erupted near a procession taken out in connection with Youm-e-Ali on MA Jinnah road amid tight security on Friday. According to reports, the firing was carried out by law enforcement agencies. Around 15 to 20 gun shots were fired that created panic among the participants of the procession, who started pelting stones on the police and Rangers. No loss of life has been reported.
A large number of infuriated mourners of the procession protested against the firing incident.
Karachi Commissioner Roshan Ali Sheikh told media that some people who were denied entry from one of the exit point who opened fire on the procession near Bolten Market. He said the law enforcers also retaliated that caused disturbance amongst the participants.
He said the situation was under control. Shabbar Zaidi, one of the organizers of the procession, contradicted the commissioner saying neither the participants nor the law enforcers resorted to firing instead it occurred form another road.

Security arrangements irk masses

Security arrangements for procession of Yom-e-Ali created problems for general masses in Karachi on Friday as police personnel reached their duty stations at 7 am as per their security plan. Some 5,699 police personnel and 5,000 Rangers were deployed for security. They were posted on 304 buildings, 181 streets, and 85 roofs from these roots while seven areas were declared suspicious including Saddar, Dawa khana, Impress Market, Shafeeq Building, DMC, Light House and Baghdadi. Two helicopters will especially monitor the processions. Three rescue teams have been posted in different areas and every team has bulletproof car and 15 ambulances under the observation of SP. Another two teams have also been posted for any unpleasant incident.
A procession of Alam was taken out after the Majlis in Nishtar Park. Full security proof arrangements were made on the occasion. MA Jinnah Road was blocked by containers for all the traffic. People complained there should be security arrangements for processions but common people should not be put in troubles.