May 21, 2025
By Iqra Manzoor
LAHORE
Protesters have been staging a sit-in on the Moro National Highway, with the body of Zahid Laghari — a 21-year-old student, who was killed during a protest on Tuesday while tension between the demonstrators and the police continue to rise. Over 12 hours have passed, and the traffic remains suspended while activists demand the registration of an FIR against the state for Zahid’s killing.
Zahid Laghari reportedly died of a police-fired gunshot wound during a protest against corporate farming and the proposed construction of new canals on the Indus River. The protest, which had been ongoing for several days in Moro, turned deadly when security forces allegedly opened direct fire on demonstrators. Another demonstrator, Irfan Laghari, sustained serious injuries during the same incident and is currently in critical condition, further heightening tensions among the protestors and their supporters.
The demonstration on May 20, organised by Sindh Sabha Party, turned violent when police tried to disperse the crowd, but the protesters refused to move. Police then used force, resorting to baton charge and firing into the air, which injured several protesters and pedestrians, resulting in Zahid’s death. Police officials, including a DSP and six other officers, were also injured in the clashes. On Tuesday, violence erupted on a larger scale, as the Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar’s house was set ablaze in Naushero Feroze, while two trailers on the Moro Bypass Road were attacked.
PPP Sindh Information Secretary Ajiz Dhamra condemned the incident, describing it as an act of terrorism in an official statement. He emphasized that while the public has every right to protest, attacking the residence of a political opponent suggests a deeper conspiracy at play.
Sindh Home Minister also issued a statement, directing the Naushehro Feroze SSP to submit a detailed report on the incident. He asserted that no one would be allowed to challenge the writ of the state and instructed law enforcement to take firm action against those responsible for disturbing the peace.
Local sources have told Voicepk that the demonstrators are chanting slogans against the district police, prompting a heavy deployment of law enforcement personnel, including armored vehicles, on both sides of the highway. In an attempt to disperse the crowd, police have resorted to aerial firing and tear gas shelling. The situation has created an atmosphere of fear and panic in the city, leading residents to shut down markets and remain confined to their homes.
Karachi lawyers protest Moro incident
Lawyers in Karachi also staged a protest against the police firing on protesters in Moro, gathering outside the office of the Vice Chairman of the Sindh Bar Council. The protest was organized in response to the Council’s controversial stance, with lawyers expressing outrage over its failure to condemn the killing of civilians during the Moro demonstration.
tensions escalated in moro during protests against corporate farming after protesters torched minister Zia-ul-lanjar’s house following the injuries of activist Irfan Laghari. private armed men by house opened fire on protesters.. pic.twitter.com/fj1EXUPmNp
— Daadlo 🍉 (@DaadloSain) May 20, 2025
However instead of speaking out against the deaths, the Sindh Bar Council issued a resolution in favor of Sindh’s Provincial Minister Zia Lanjar, specifically condemning the attack on his house. This move was met with strong criticism from the legal community, who viewed it as biased and unjust.
According to details, a mob wearing masks, attacked the Lanjar House in Moro and set it on fire, a spokesperson said. The house was empty except for some of the staff. The spokesperson said that the attackers burnt furniture and injured some servants there.
The Express Tribune reported that as the police struggled to maintain order in the town, another mob took hold of three policemen, including Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Fayyaz Dahri and subjected them to torture. However, they were freed later, according to eyewitnesses.
A mob threw stones at the Moro police station, while the police resorted to aerial firing to disperse them. As the night fell, tension gripped Moro with shops closed and people staying indoors. The Sindh home minister took notice of the violence in Moro and ordered an investigation. Large police contingents from Nawabshah, Dadu and Hyderabad districts had reached the town and helping the local police to restore order.
Meanwhile, protesters held a sit-in outside the Sindh Bar Council office, chanting slogans against both the Council and the provincial government. They accused the Council of siding with political power rather than upholding justice and the rule of law.
Lawyers declared that the Sindh Bar Council had effectively turned into the “Zia Lanjar Bar,” losing its impartiality and credibility. They demanded that a case be registered over the Moro incident and called for a thorough investigation into the firing and the deaths that occurred during the protest.
Ashfaq Malik, one of the main activists participating in the ongoing protest in Moro, Sindh, said, “I am sitting here in my individual capacity, for the love of my land. We have been through hell since yesterday. The Sindhu River is our heart, and we have been raising our voices for it.”
He emphasized that the protest has remained peaceful for the past 11 days and described the recent violence as an act of terrorism against them, directly accusing the police of involvement.
Denying any allegations that protesters attacked Sindh Minister Zia Lanjar’s house, Ashfaq said, “We were sitting peacefully, and around 5 AM, 4 to 5 armed vehicles approached us and humiliated the body of the deceased Zahid Laghari. The police targeted us with tear gas and shelling.”
He concluded with a strong demand for justice. “We demand the arrest and strict action against those responsible for the murder of Zahid Laghari. We want justice.”
Allegations of targeted violence
A relative of the deceased Zahid Laghari stated, “Our protest was against corporate farming and the construction of canals on the Indus River — a movement to protect our land and livelihood. Instead of listening to our concerns, the police responded with sheer brutality, opening direct fire on peaceful protestors. Many of our people have been severely injured in the unprovoked attack.”
He alleged that although the protest had concluded, the violence escalated afterward. “After the protest ended, Law Minister Zia Lanjar sent men in plain clothes who specifically targeted members of the Laghari caste. We have post-mortem reports that clearly show our people were shot in the head at close range. This was no accident — they were deliberately targeted and murdered.”
He also raised concerns about arbitrary arrests and missing persons. “At least 10 to 20 of our people have been arrested, and we have no information about their whereabouts. We demand their immediate recovery. Zia Lanjar must resign — he has blood on his hands. This sit-in will not end until he steps down and justice is served.”
Another protester remarked, “Zahid Laghari lost his life while standing up against corporate farming and the construction of canals on the Indus River. It wasn’t the police in uniform, but armed men allegedly linked to Zia Lanjar who opened direct fire on peaceful demonstrators. This is nothing short of state-sponsored terrorism against its own people.”
He added defiantly, “If they open fire on us, we will not back down — we will face them head-on. They may have killed one Zahid Laghari, but many more Zahids are still here, standing firm in this struggle.”
The growing tension reflects a deep divide. While people condemn the police for what they call state brutality, officials insist that the protesters are instigators of violence. With one young life already lost, the situation remains urgent and fragile as the community awaits a resolution.