The protest is being staged on the call of Shia Ulema Council. "No government official has yet visited to allay protesters' apprehensions regarding the continuing sectarian killings," a participant named Imran told Business Recorder. A number of religious scholars urged the government to take action against the perpetrators of targeted killings. They said that innocent people were being mercilessly targeted on sectarian grounds.
There has been a sudden surge in sectarian violence in the city. Imran said protestors were determined to continue the sit-in till the acceptance of their demands, adding that they were also expressing solidarity with the victims of targeted killings. A number of protesters were holding up banners and placards inscribed with pleas to end the cycle of violence. "We have made adequate arrangements to cope with all emergencies, including medical ones. Women, children and people of all ages are braving fast-changing weather conditions during the sit-in," he said.
According to him, organisers of the protests had informed the participants of the sit-in that it would last till Sunday evening. He said Ulema wanted the government functionaries to visit the venue of the protest and assure better security arrangements for the people of the city.