The protest was held in response to the alleged killing of a woman by the police in Steel Town, Karachi, two days ago. The victim’s family had been staging a sit-in protest at the Toll Plaza on the Ghaghar National Highway.

Yaqoob Samo, the brother of the deceased, stated that they have not been heard from since the incident, and a case has been registered against the alleged culprits. He said that they cannot record their statement in this case, but they had protested, hoping for justice. Samo added that they were leaving the matter to Allah, as they did not receive justice, and Allah is the best judge.

Samo further stated that the FIR was not filed as per their wishes, and they have no hope for justice, as the police were the killers of their sister.

DIG East Ghulam Azfar Mahesar stated that the victims’ vehicle came within the crossfire range. “We are ready for a judicial inquiry. If the police have made any mistakes, the personnel involved will be held accountable,” he said.

Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hasan Lanjaar confirmed that late-night negotiations with the protesters were ongoing and a judicial inquiry into the matter has been offered.

“An FIR has already been registered, and we are bound by the Supreme Court’s directives. No further FIRs can be filed on top of the existing one,” he explained.

He emphasised their commitment to upholding the rule of law and protecting the lives and property of citizens. “Democratic governments believe in democracy, and it is our responsibility to safeguard the people. We do not want to prolong the issue, and we will not allow anyone to take the law into their own hands,” Lanjaar stated.

The incident occurred on July 5 when a 60-year-old woman was killed and her 19-year-old daughter injured in a shooting while travelling in their car on the National Highway near Gulshan-e-Hadid.

Police claimed the family was caught in crossfire between police and fleeing suspects, alleging that the suspects fired at the family’s car.

However, the family vehemently denies this claim, accusing the police of directly firing upon their vehicle, mistaking them for criminals.

They maintain that the suspects’ car was ahead of theirs, and photos circulating on social media show the family’s car with damage from a rear-end collision.

Eyewitnesses say the victim’s car was travelling ahead of the suspects’ car.

The protest caused immense inconvenience to commuters, with many stranded for hours without food or water. The traffic police diverted traffic to alternative routes, but the congestion remains severe.