Karachi Police on Saturday resorted to baton-charge and fired tear gas to disperse the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) workers protesting against alleged rigging in the general election.

The JUI-F protestors had staged a sit-in on the Shahrah-e-Faisal and blocked the road leading from Nursery Stop towards Metropole Hotel.

The provincial government has banned gatherings of more than five people under Section 144 of the CrPC. The decision was taken after opposition parties, which claim elections were not transparent, called for protests ahead of the session.

The proceedings of the maiden Sindh Assembly session in Karachi began more than 40 minutes behind schedule because lawmakers were late to arrive on Saturday amid JUI-F, GDA, PTI, and JI protests outside the chamber against alleged election rigging.

JUI-F leader Rashid Soomro was reportedly injured in the shelling and baton charge as the police tried to stop them from reaching the Sindh Assembly, JUI-F’s Sami Swat said.

He blamed the caretaker government for allegedly attacking the rally and injuring Soomro.

Meanwhile, the traffic at the Shahrah-e-Faisal was choked as commuters were stranded for hours.