FIR against protesters ‘ridiculous’, President Alvi says

KARACHI: President Dr Arif Alvi on Sunday said registering a first information report (FIR) against the person protesting the VIP protocol was ridiculous.

President Alvi took to Twitter and posted, “FIR against the person protesting against security is ridiculous. When people are inconvenienced they do react.”

FIR against the person protesting against security is ridiculous. When people are inconvenienced they do react.

— Dr. Arif Alvi (@ArifAlvi) September 23, 2018

Earlier on Sunday, a case was registered against some people for obstructing the president’s security protocol at Sharah-e-Faisal on Saturday night.

These people, who reportedly belonged to the FixIt campaign which is run by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Alamgir Khan, were booked by Sindh Police for taking to the streets to clear out the traffic jam caused by President Alvi’s protocol.

A case was registered against them at Tipu Sultan Police Station.

PROTEST AGAINST PRESIDENT’S PROTOCOL:

According to the police, one of the protesters parked his car in the traffic which had been halted, for the president’s protocol and went up to the traffic police officers stationed to maintain order.

However, the man not only demanded that they should not be inconvenienced but he also prompted other citizens to not stop their vehicles.

A man booked in #Karachi for obstructing President’s protocol. Where r the #Fixit guys now who obstructed VIP movements too prior to #PTI govt? @AKFixit has been compensated with #NA243 seat. @DrAwab pic.twitter.com/QXNmXrdcPl

— Furqan T. Siddiqui (@furqantsiddiqui) September 23, 2018

The man also kept making a video of his altercation with the police, which has since then obtained by the authorities and widely circulated on social media.

The video shows the man urging other drivers to not stop for the protocol. Several motorcycle riders can be seen breaking the barriers despite protests from the police.

Moreover, the man can also be heard cursing other citizens who not move and can even be seen pushing the police officers.

The police said that the man escaped when a crowd started to gather around them with the police not being able to do anything at the moment because of the VVIP movement.

The case was registered against the unnamed man on the directions of Sharah-e-Faisal SO sub-inspector Mohammad Saleem. A search for the suspect is underway.