316 PTI workers held as crackdown continues

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

Intense clashes broke out on March 18 between the police and PTI activists as soon as Khan's convoy reached the Federal Judicial Complex (FJC) ahead of his appearance before the district and sessions court in the Toshakhana case.

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.

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".

Published in The Express Tribune, March 23^rd, 2023.