Gill held for ‘violating law’ in Muzaffargarh

PTI leader Shahbaz Gill on Sunday was arrested for allegedly keeping armed guards with him during his visit to polling stations PP-272 and PP-73 in Muzaffargarh by-elections.

In a statement, PML-N leader and Punjab Home Minister Attaullah Tarar claimed that Gill was arrested along with his party activists, who were publicly brandishing weapons in violation of the law.
He added that Section 144 was imposed in the province during the by-elections, placing a complete ban on the display of weapons.

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), in its election code of conduct for political parties and candidates, says: "Carriage and display of all kinds of lethal weapons and firearms shall not be allowed in public meetings and processions and official regulations in respect thereof shall be strictly observed.

Aerial firing, use of crackers and other explosives at public meetings shall not be allowed."
Tarar further said there were no personnel of Frontier Corps (FC) with the PTI leader, questioning the identity of the people accompanying him.

The home minister went on to say that the PTI leader had resorted to “illegal actions for cheap publicity”, adding that the law would take its course against him.

According to Tarar, Gill had brought the armed men with him to undermine law and order during the polls.

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The Muzaffargarh district police officer said Gill was arrested from a factory owned by PTI candidate Muazzam Ali along with his guards. Footage of TV channels showed Gill with guards in FC uniform.

Islamabad IGP Dr Akbar Nasir has issued orders that no private organisation would be allowed to display police lights, colours, monograms or any similarities on their vehicles.

He warned that action would be taken under Section 170/171 of the Pakistan Penal Code against any private security guard who wore a uniform that gave the impression that they were police personnel or members of any other law enforcement agency.

Prior to his arrest, Gill had tweeted that he was ready to surrender but refused to let the police take his guards or other party activists into custody.

He added that he was “trapped in a factory”. “Imran Khan’s soldier is not afraid of such tactics. We didn’t come here to commit terrorism. I am presenting myself for arrest,” he wrote.

In a video posted on his YouTube channel, Gill alleged that polling agents of his party in Muzaffargarh’s PP-272 had not been allowed to enter the polling stations. “We reached out to the ECP but they dismissed our complaints. Now, they have sent the police to take away my guards. What is their purpose? They want to arrest me. I will do you a favour and present myself for arrest. As long as I am standing here, I won’t let you arrest anyone.”

Later, Gill’s social media team tweeted that he had been taken to Saddar Ali Pur police station.
Addressing a press conference, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah said if the officer in charge of overseeing electoral arrangements felt that Gill was misbehaving or had been accompanied by men with no legal status, they could make whatever decision they believed was right.

”The local administration was empowered to make decisions to maintain the law and order situation,” he added. “The government would back such steps.”

(With input from agencies)