JI activists clash with traders in Faisalabad

Clashes broke out in Faisalabad during a shutter-down strike when traders and Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) activists confronted each other, the 24NewsHD TV channel reported on Wednesday.

According to the report, the traders blocked the JI rally from entering the market, leading to a scuffle between traders and JI workers. Traders broke the screen of a sound system vehicle belonging to JI.

The situation escalated with shoving between JI leaders and members of the Ameen Butt Group of Anjuman Tajran. 

The JI rally was initially blocked by the Ameen Butt Group from entering Karkhana Bazaar, sparking the initial clash. JI leaders argued that it was their right to hold a rally, and they should not have been stopped. 

A second clash occurred outside trader Waheed Babar’s shop when the rally was blocked again, resulting in further violence against JI workers.

Police arrested two people with weapons and also took custody of the sound system vehicle of JI. 

In protest, JI leader Mahboobuz Zaman Butt and other members staged a sit-in outside the Kotwali police station, demanding the release of their workers and the return of their vehicle.

Mahboob said, his workers were subjected to violence, and the vehicle’s windows were broken. The police should not facilitate this aggression and must return the sound system vehicle."

Reporter: Bilal Dogar