CCPO orders arrest of those involved in violence

Directs investigation wing of Lahore police to investigate matter on merit and follow legal procedure

LAHORE: Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) BA Nasir on Sunday said that all those involved in violence on the day when deposed prime minister Nawaz Sharif and his daughter Maryam Nawaz reached Lahore will be arrested.

In a statement issued to the media on Sunday, he said Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) leaders and workers will be taken into custody for attacking police officials, damaging government properties and creating law and order situation.

"I haven't stopped anyone from arresting the suspected protesters involved in disrupting peace in the city. I ordered the investigation wing of Lahore police to investigate the matter on merit and follow legal procedure," he said. He added that they were investigating all the incidents of violence from different angles. "The arrests will be made on the basis of evidence. Senior police officers are looking into the cases."

The cases were registered against PML-N activists, including their top leadership under charges of terrorism, attempt to murder, interference in government matters, and violation of Section 144 in different police stations of the city. Around 20 police officers were injured in clashes in rallies held by PML-N workers on July 13.



An FIR was registered in Lohari Gate police station under terrorism, attempt to murder and rioting on the complaint of SHO Lohari. Those nominated in FIR included Shehbaz Sharif, Hamza Shehbaz, Saira Afzal Tarar, Uzma Bukhari, Marriyum Aurangzeb, Kamran Michael, colonel Mubashir, Staff officer to Hamza Shehbaz, Kabir Taj, Mushahid Hussain Syed, Bilal Yaseen, Ghazali Saleem Butt, Waheed Alam Khan, Raja Zafarul Haque, Javed Hashmi, Talal Chaudhry and others. PML-N rally had started from Lohari Gate and was led by Shehbaz. This was the only main point of PML-N gathering where no major clash was reported.

Another FIR was registered in Shahdara Town against Rana Tanveer, Khurram Dastagir and other PML-N leaders and activists. On Friday, a serious conflict had occurred at Ravi Bridge. Police had locked Ravi Bridge by placing containers on it. However, PML-N workers removed the containers with cranes and also clashed with policemen. They threw stones on police while police used tear-gas shells and baton charged. Seven police officers, including SI Mushtaq, ASI Sarfaraz, constable Saddam Hussain, Ali Raza, Shahzad Ashiq, Muhammad Bilal and Zeeshan were injured in the incident.



Another FIR was registered against Saiful Malook Khokhar and others in Nawab Town police station. Saif had led a rally from Khokhar Palace in Johar Town. They had confronted police in Nawab Town.

Similarly, an FIR against PML-N Lahore President Pervaiz Malik, his wife Shaista Pervaiz Malik, a candidate Mian Aslam and others was registered in Township police station. The most fierce fighting between party workers and police had occurred at Jorhay Pull. In the conflict, several policemen, including a DSP and two Rangers officials were also injured. The conflict had continued for over two hours. It was led by former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbassi, former speaker Sardar Ayyaz Sadiq, Khawaz Salman Rafique and other PML-N leaders. An FIR against the conflict has been registered at North Cantonment police station.



An FIR against Shehbaz Sharif, Hamza Shehbaz, Khawaja Saad Rafique, Marriyum Aurangzeb, Khawaja Ahmad Hassan, Mian Shujaul Rehman, Pervaiz Malik and others was registered at Civil Lines police station while the rest of the cases were registered in other police stations of the city.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, July 16^th, 2018.