28 arrested for rioting

No nominated PTI leader arrested so far in cases of arson and section 144 violation

KARACHI:

Police have registered three cases against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) activists on charges of violating section 144 and rioting at Numaish Chowrangi and Shahra-e-Quaideen under anti-terrorism provisions and others.

As many as nine PTI leaders have been nominated in the cases while 28 workers have been arrested. However, no nominated leader has been arrested so far.

Soldier Bazaar police registered two cases of sit-in protest, rioting and arson at Numaish Chowrangi against PTI.

PTI leader and former federal minister Ali Zaidi, Bilal Ghaffar, Khurram Sher Zaman, Arsalan Taj Ghman, Jamal Siddiqui, Ali Aziz GG, Feroz Shamim Naqvi, Mohsin Ali Butt and Ashraf Ali have been nominated in the cases. Cases have also been registered against 600 to 700 unknown persons.

Meanwhile, a case of rioting and vandalism on Shahra-e-Quaideen was registered against PTI workers at Ferozeabad police station.

As many as 120 unidentified persons including four PTI leaders, former federal minister Ali Zaidi, Khurram Sher Zaman, Ali Aziz GG and Jamal Siddiqui have been nominated in the case.

Release of 20 PTI workers ordered

The Judicial Magistrate, South, has dismissed the cases against 20 PTI workers for violating section 144 and released the arrested persons. In South District, cases were registered against 12 workers in Defence Police Station, five in Artillery Maidan and three in Frere Police Station.

PTI lawyers argued that section 144 has been imposed by the district administration. According to the law, only the administration enforcing the ban can file a case. The police have violated the law by registering cases.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, May 27^th, 2022.