Snap checking: Capital police ‘seize arms’ from K-P minister’s vehicle

Crackdown on PTI workers continues; over 150 arrested.

ISLAMABAD: As the deadline for a final showdown between the PML-N-led government and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf draws near, the latter continued to ratchet up pressure on the government on the Panamagate scandal, with demonstrations kicking off around the country on Sunday.

Footages from around Bani Gala showed scenes similar to a war zone, with riot police struggling to stop workers and activists from marching towards the plush residence of Imran Khan that has become a seat to defy the government order.

In their latest crackdown, the capital city police claimed to have recovered bulletproof vests, two SMGs, a teargas firing gun, a handgun, bullets as well as a bottle of liquor from Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Revenue Ali Amin Gandapur.

Though the police made no effort to arrest Gandapur, many of the PTI workers travelling with him were detained. Bhara Kahu SHO Mehboob Ahmed said so far no legal action had been initiated against Gandapur after the recovery of weapons, adding that the Bhara Kahu police had 120 PTI workers in their custody.

However, the exact number of those arrested on Sunday was not clear as different police officers gave different numbers, with one saying that 152 were arrested on Sunday alone. With the latest arrests, the total number has gone up to 274.

Police said the arrests were made for violation of the ban on rallies and gatherings under Section 144 of the CrPC.

Heavy contingents of police continued to man roads leading to Imran Khan’s residence. Though police did not allow ordinary party workers to reach Khan’s residence, there was no such bar on party leaders who were allowed entry to Bani Gala for most of the day.

However, PTI workers briefly clashed with police in the afternoon and the entrance to Khan’s residence was blocked for all and sundry. MNA Shireen Mazari was also stopped for a while at Koran Road before she removed the barricade herself and went through.

Several activists launched repeated attempts to cross police checkpoints by throwing rocks on the police. Riot police responded by charging the protesters amid clouds of CS gas while well-heeled residents and bystanders looked on in stupefaction and anger.

By the evening, the situation in and around Bani Gala returned to normal. At least 274 PTI workers and supporters have been arrested by the police since Thursday evening.

The majority of arrests have been made in and around Bani Gala followed by Golra, Kohsar, Koral and Shahzad Town police stations. By Saturday, around 140 arrested people had been sent to Adiala Jail on judicial remand. Those who were arrested on Sunday will be produced before the court on Monday.

Apart from the area surrounding Bani Gala, all other roads and intersections remained open to traffic on Sunday. Police also posted clips taken from the surveillance cameras, showing smooth traffic flow at Bani Gala as well as Khnna Pul, Motorway toll plaza, Aabpara, and Rawal Dam Chowk.

Meanwhile in Karachi, the provincial leadership took out an ‘accountability rally’, which has been dubbed ‘Istefa do, Ya Talashi [Resign or be held accountable]’. The rally was taken out from the Insaf House in Nursery to the Mausoleum of Quaid-i-Azam.

The provincial leadership of the PTI warned the government to refrain from arresting their party chairperson or any other leader and threatened to close down the Karachi port, National Highway and important thoroughfares of the city otherwise.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 29^th, 2016.