Two killed, several injured in sporadic clashes during crucial Punjab by-polls

One person died and several other activists of the both the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) sustained injuries in the sporadic incidents of by-election-related violence across the province on Sunday.

Breaking down of window shields of senior PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry, and confrontation with PTI’s Senior Vice Chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi in Multan and several arrests over violation of the election code also dotted the by-elections in 20 constituencies of the province.

The killing occurred in a clash in Shiekhupura, where at least six suspects were arrested in a separate incident over possessing sophisticated weapons. The deceased was identified as Faizan, while another person, identified as Hussain Jutt, was injured.

The Punjab Police had deployed at least 52,000 policemen assisted by heavy contingents of paramilitary forces as backup, to maintain law and order, across the the 14 districts of Punjab, where the by-election was held for 20 provincial assembly seats.

Despite the stringent security arrangements, clashes were reported from different constituencies. A central control room was set up at CPO (IG office) to review the security arrangements. Overall, the political activity remained relatively peaceful.

Former federal minister Fawad Chaudhry along with former finance minister Shaukat Tareen was visiting PP-168 constituency when reportedly Tehreek-e-Labaik Pakistan (TLP) activists came in front of his vehicle, blocked its way and started chanting slogans.

Chauhdry tried to move forward but he could not. He was then trying to reverse his vehicle when a tyre ran over an activists’ foot. On that the workers got infuriated and attacked the back screen of the vehicle.

The PTI alleged that police and local administration instigated the attack on Chaudhry’s vehicle. Police, however, arrested a suspect from TLP camp. SHO Nishter Colony Asad Abbass said that the suspect was arrested after identification from a video clip.

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PTI Central Punjab Information Secretary Musarat Jamshed told media that Chaudhry’s vehicle was attacked by a miscreant, who was later arrested from the TLP camp. She alleged that police played a role of spectator and provided protection to attackers.

In the PP-158 constituency, a clash between PTI and PML-N workers occurred in the presence of PTI leader Jamshed Cheema that left a PML-N worker allegedly injured. The clash reported occurred after a PTI polling agent was barred from entering the polling station.

The authorities denied the allegation. The injured man claimed that Cheema had instigated the attack. The police later said that they were searching for Jamshed to arrest him.

Another incident was reported in Multan also where PML-N workers reportedly stopped former federal minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi. Reportedly, Qureshi had conducted “a raid” at a factory, alleging that “rigging effort” was going on there.

Later, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) issued a notice to Qureshi for violating Article 56 of the code of conduct by visiting different polling stations, holding press briefings within the limits of the PP-217 Multan constituency, and launching an “illegal raid along with supporters”.

A copy of the ECP notification, available to The Express Tribune, showed that the district election commissioner issued the notice to the PTI leader, asking him to explain his position within 24 hours.

It added that except the voters, candidates or duly authorised election agents, no one without a valid pass from the commission or provincial election commissioner, district returning officers shall enter the polling station.

The watchdog also noted that the PTI leader was also carrying out press conferences on the premises of the polling stations and levelling allegations and questions regarding the voting activities, without any proof, which might also be stopped with immediate effect.

“In case, if you have any concrete evidence in this regard, the same may be submitted to the undersigned. So that necessary action could be taken against the culprits in accordance with the law.”

Moreover, the notification said it had come to the notice of the returning officer that the leader had illegally raided a private property (a factory) within the constituency along with supporters on the allegations votes were being sold there.

A copy of the notice had also been forwarded to the provincial electioneer commissioner, Punjab, district returning officer PP-217 and district monitoring officer PP-217.

Further clashes were reported in Dharampura, Canal polling station, Lahore, besides Sheikhupura and Faisalabad in which few people were injured. According to a report, an incident of firing was reported from Sheikhpura, leaving two people injured.

The Punjab government had imposed Section 144 of the CrPC during by-elections, barring people from carrying firearms, including the licensed weapons. In the regard, the Lahore police arrested at least 12 suspects for the violation of the ban.

At least three suspects were arrested by Sattokatla police nearby a polling station. The suspects had been identified as Asghar, Muhammad Hussain and Shaukat Ali. Two riffles, six magazines and bullets were recovered from their possession.

Five suspects were arrested from Township, one from Kot Lakhpat, one from Naseerabad and two from Nishter Colony. At least six suspects were arrested by the Sheikhupura Police, the District Police Officer (DPO) Faisal Mukhtar said. He said that the police checked a vehicle near a polling station and recovered sophisticated weapons from the possession of six suspects.