The civil society members, who were arrested here on Thursday evening, have been released, police said, according to Aaj News. Protests had broken out after at least 40 members of civil society including their leader Jibran Nasir, who were staging a demo against banned organisations outside Sindh Chief Minister's House, were detained by the city police.
However, the activists were allowed to go home on the orders issued from the Chief Minster House, police said "Policemen rounded up the peaceful protestors in a sudden crackdown. Most of them are reported to be in the Frere Police Station lockup while others in Defence Police Station. They were arrested for rallying in the Red Zone, which is a violation of the code of conduct," sources said.
Jibran Nasir, the protagonist of the protests, rejected the charge. Meanwhile dozens of other activists, friends, and family members protested in front of the police station demanding the release of their loved ones. "We will stage a hunger strike outside Karachi Press Club against this injustice. And it will continue until our friends walk out of the custody of police safe and sound," a civil society member said. According to police, five of the detainees have been set free while others will also follow suit after their parents submit written assurance that they will not do it again. On the other hand the released activists claimed that some of their comrades are still in the captivity.