Parliamentarian Mohsin Dawar released from custody

Threatens further agitation if all arrested protestors not released

ISLAMABAD: The Kohsar police on Wednesday said that they have released MNA Mohsin Dawar, hours after detaining him during a protest demonstration in Islamabad on Tuesday.

Dawar had been detained along with 23 supporters when they were protesting outside the National Press Club on Tuesday against the arrest of Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement (PTM) Chief Manzoor Pashteen.

He had been detained for three months last year for allegedly inciting violent clashes with security forces during another protest. Police spokesperson Zia Bajwa said that the two were released late Tuesday. Dawar’s fellow MPA, Ali Wazir is also believed to have been released.

But a further 23 PTM members have been charged with incitement against state institutions including the army, disturbing law and order, and spreading hate speech.

The FIR further reads that some people had fled the scene but they can be identified when presented before the police.

Pashteen was arrested on Monday in Peshawar on charges of sedition, hate speech, incitement against the state, and criminal conspiracy.

PTM leaders have called on their supporters to stay calm after Pashteen's arrest.

His lawyer Asad Aziz Mehsud said Pashteen has been remanded in the district of Dera Ismail Khan and will seek bail on Thursday.

(WITH ADDITIONAL INPUT FROM AFP)

Published in The Express Tribune, January 30^th, 2020.