Pakistan

At least 316 PTI workers arrested as crackdown over FJC chaos continues

ICT police arrests protestors for rioting, attacking police, vandalism

News Desk March 22, 2023

Police, PTI workers clash outside judicial complex ahead of Imran's hearing. Photo: Screengrab

Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) police on Wednesday said they have arrested at least 316 Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) workers for' rioting' as party chief Imran Khan appeared before a court in the Toshakhana case on March 18.

Intense clashes broke out on Saturday between the police and PTI activists as party chief Imran Khan's convoy reached the Federal Judicial Complex (FJC) ahead of his appearance before the district and sessions court in the Toshakhana case.

Read Crackdown against PTI intensifies

Earlier, a report pertaining to the damage caused by the riots outside the FJC was prepared which detailed damage to government property and injuries sustained by law enforcement personnel.

According to the report, scores of officials including officers of Islamabad Police, as well as FC personnel, were injured during the riots. Most of the injured suffered injuries from sticks on their limbs while some were affected by tear gas.

Islamabad Police SSP Operations Malik Jamil was also among the injured police officers. Jamil was allegedly injured due to stone pelting by the PTI workers.

The report also stated that the PTI workers also damaged vehicles and government property.

On Tuesday, the Islamabad police arrested 198 Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf workers for their alleged involvement in vandalism, attack on police and damaging property.

The figure rose to 316 on Wednesday.

In a five-part tweet, the capital territory police hinted that that number was likely to rise as further raids were being conducted.

پی ٹی آئی مظاہرین کی اشتعال انگیزی، جلاؤ گھیراؤ، توڑ پھوڑ،پولیس پر حملے۔

اسلام آباد کیپیٹل پولیس نےمختلف کارروائیوں میں اب تک 316 ملزمان کو گرفتار کرلیا۔مزید گرفتاریوں کے لئے پولیس ٹیمیں چھاپے مار رہی ہیں۔وقوعہ میں ملوث تمام ملزمان کی کیمروں کی مدد سے شناخت کا عمل بھی جاری ہے۔⬇️
— Islamabad Police (@ICT_Police) March 22, 2023

The identification process of all the accused involved in the incident with the help of cameras is presently ongoing, said the police.

Officials have also confirmed that information is also being shared with other districts "so that the concerned persons can be handed over".

پرتشدد واقعات میں گرفتار افراد کی اطلاع دیگر اضلاع کو بھی دی جارہی ہے تاکہ دیگر اضلاع میں مطلوب افراد ان کے حوالے کیے جا سکیں۔ پرتشدد کارروائیوں میں ملوث سرکاری ملازمین کی اطلاع ان کے متعلقہ محکموں کو بھیجی جارہی تاکہ محکمانہ کارروائی بھی عمل میں لائی جائے۔⬇️
— Islamabad Police (@ICT_Police) March 22, 2023

"Information about government employees involved in violent acts is being sent to their respective departments so that departmental action is also taken," the police stated.

Also Read PTI leader among seven dead in Haripur rocket attack

Furthermore, the social media activities of the public officials were also being observed for further disciplinary action.

تمام ملزمان کا سابقہ پولیس ریکارڈ بھی حاصل کیا جارہا۔ سوشل میڈیا پر متحرک سرکاری ملازمین جو اشتعال انگیز کارروائیوں میں شامل تھے ان کی نشاندہی کی جا رہی ہے تاکہ محکمانہ کارروائی کی جا سکے۔ دہشت گردی کی کارروائیوں میں ملوث نجی اداروں اور کمپنیوں کے ملازمین کے بارے اطلاع ⬇️
— Islamabad Police (@ICT_Police) March 22, 2023

"The previous police records of all the accused are also being obtained," said the police, adding that "information about the employees of private institutions and companies involved in terrorist activities will be sent to their relevant institutions".

ان کے اداروں کو بھیجی جائے گی۔ تارکین وطن جو ان کارروائیوں میں شامل پائے گئے ہیں ان کے متعلقہ غیر ملکی سفارت خانوں کو خطوط لکھے جارہے ہیں۔ پرتشدد مظاہروں کی مالی معاونت کرنے والے سہولت کاروں کے خلاف بھی کارروائی کا آغاز کیا جا رہا ہے۔⬇️
— Islamabad Police (@ICT_Police) March 22, 2023

Additionally, "letters are being written to the respective foreign embassies of the migrants found involved in these operations".

Also Read PTI pins its hopes on three CJs

"Action is also being initiated against the facilitators who finance the violent protests," the police added.

پر تشدد جلاؤ گھیراؤ میں 58 پولیس افسران زخمی ہوئے جبکہ 12 گاڑیوں سمیت 20 موٹر سائیکل اور ایک پولیس چوکی نذر آتش کی گئی تھی۔#ICTP #IslamabadPolice #Islamabad
— Islamabad Police (@ICT_Police) March 22, 2023

The ICT police maintained that in the violent clashes, at least 58 police officers were injured, several vehicles were damaged and a police post was set on fire.

Hassaan Niazi 'tortured'

Imran Khan on Wednesday claimed his nephew and PTI's focal person Advocate Hassan Niazi was being subjected to 'custodial torture' after he was taken into custody by police outside the FJC on Monday.

The PTI chief said he strongly condemned "the custodial torture that is being done on our workers and leaders including Amjad Niazi, and now, from what I have learnt, on Hassaan Niazi".

Strongly condemn the custodial torture that is being done on our workers & ldrs including Amjad Niazi, & now, from what I have learnt, on Hassaan Niazi who was first abducted, immed after he got bail, & then named falsely in another FIR. Shameful fascism & law of the jungle.
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) March 22, 2023

Imran also alleged that Niazi was "abducted immediately after he got bail, and then named falsely in another FIR".

“Shameful fascism and law of the jungle,” he added.