Imran’s nephew, others booked for assaulting, snatching gun from police

FIR accuses Hassaan Niazi of orchestrating attack on police during Imran Khan's visit to LHC

LAHORE:

Punjab police has registered a First Information Report (FIR) against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Hassaan Niazi, accusing him of orchestrating an attack on and attempting to snatch a gun from a police officer during PTI Chairman Imran Khan's recent visit to the Lahore High Court.

According to the FIR, several PTI workers assaulted the police officer on the orders of Hassaan Khan Niazi, who is the nephew of PTI chairman Imran Khan.

The FIR was registered at the Race Course police station against five named and 15 unidentified suspects against the complaint of officer Jahanzaib Sohail on six charges including dacoity, assault, armed rioting, obstructing public servants from discharge their duties, and others under sections 395, 353, 148, 149, 109, and 186 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC).

Also read: LHC grants Imran bail in terror case, disposes of ECP protest plea

In the FIR, the victim Jahanzaib Sohail said he that as the rally reached Club Chowk, over a dozen people carrying clubs and arms including Imran, Amir Wazir, and Sajjad Commando attacked at him. He said that he showed them his police service card but they still did not pay any heed and snatched his official weapon and other things.

Th police officer, who is from the Special Branch, claimed that the attack took place on the orders of Barrister Hassan Niazi and Ahmad Khan Niazi.  He stated in the FIR that a video of the incident was also widely shared on social media.

Niazi, who also serves as the former prime minister’s focal person on legal affairs, denied the charges. He said the Station House Officer of the police had "registered completely fake FIR on me".

This SHO rehan registered completely fake FIR on me. Ive request Lahore Bar president to take notice of this and request session judge to summon him to court.Example should be made out of people who break their oath and misuse their powers. @digopslahore must take notice of this pic.twitter.com/bat7OcGioH

— Hassaan Niazi (@HniaziISF) February 21, 2023

"The incident never happened, and I was present in the court when the rally was taking place," he said.

The Islamabad High Court Bar Association (IHCBA) has reportedly condemned the FIR against Niazi, calling it the "worst example of human rights violation and political victimisation" by the interim Punjab government and local police.

Islamabad Bar Association condemns the registration of FIR against Barrister @HniaziISF . The act of Punjab Government (Interim) and the local police is the worst example of Human Rights Violation and political victimization. IHCBA demands that the case be withdrawn immediately. pic.twitter.com/V5TUB7RpPs

— Ali Ijaz Buttar (@aliijazbuttar) February 21, 2023

Police have yet to arrest anyone in connection with the alleged attack on the police officer.