Sheikh Rashid claims driver, security guard arrested in Rawalpindi ahead of rally

AML chief says he will reach Lal Haveli at 2pm no matter what

Awami Muslim League chief Sheikh Rashid on Friday claimed Rawalpindi police has arrested his driver and guard.

Just now My drvr,Marof, my security staf & mr Sauleh Khan arested by police, also car in thr custody. I m safe & will reach Lal haveli at 2.

— Sheikh Rashid Ahmed (@ShkhRasheed) October 28, 2016

The arrests come hours before the party's public meeting.

In a late night crackdown on Thursday, scores of Sheikh Rashid’s AML workers, including his close relatives, were rounded up by police at Lal Havali.



Police raided the venue of the AML rally outside Lal Havali, the residence of Rashid and arrested several workers of his party. “Some 17 workers of Lal Havali, including my two nephews, have been arrested. Announcements are being made to vacate the venue by police. They want to seal Lal Havali,” Rashid told The Express Tribune by telephone on Thursday.

Rawalpindi police sealed all the roads and streets leading to Lal Haveli late Thursday night. Containers have been placed in front of Lal Haveli and roads leading to it. Moreover, access to narrow streets adjoining Lal Haveli has been restricted by placing barbed wires.

Further, authorities on Thursday suspended the Metro Bus Service in Islamabad and Rawalpindi "until further notice", following which entrance gates leading to all bus stops were locked for public.

However, Rashid vowed to continue with his announced rally, defying Section 144 imposed by the provincial government.



PTI chairman Imran Khan is also scheduled to address Rashid’s rally. The crackdown launched on the PTI’s workers convention in Islamabad prompted several small protests in different areas of Rawalpindi. Protestors blocked several roads and burned tyres.

Imran Khan restrained from participating in AML rally

District Coordination Officer (DCO) Rawalpindi on Friday issued an order to Deputy Commissioner (DC) Islamabad, requesting authorities to restrain Imran from participating in AML's rally scheduled for 2pm, today.

"It is requested Imran Khan may be restrained from participating in the Jalsa, which is essentially an unlawful assembly in view of restrictions imposed under Section 144 CrPC," the notification read.