Judicial complex riot 'deliberate, planned': Islamabad police

Spokesperson says 'baseless propaganda' being perpetuated against the capital city police under a 'plan'

ISLAMABAD:

Islamabad police on Friday stated that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) riots outside the Federal Judicial Complex were ‘deliberate and planned’.

Last week, intense clashes had broken out between the police and the activists belonging to the PTI as party chief Imran Khan’s convoy reached the judicial complex ahead of his appearance before the district and sessions court in the Toshakhana case.

According to a spokesperson for the Islamabad police, 63 officers and police personnel were injured while providing security to the judicial complex and court staff.

He named PTI leader Shibli Faraz as the accused in the case, adding that his role would be determined by the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) probing the matter.

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He furthered that the court transfer from F8 to the judicial complex was implemented on the demands of Shibli Faraz and his party.

The police spokesperson maintained that law enforcement personnel were shelled, the PTI protesters threw petrol bombs and the protestors “deliberately vandalised” and set fire to the judicial complex with a “plan”.

The spokesperson stated that 369 people involved in the riots were arrested. 

He maintained that the Islamabad police will continue to perform its duties under court orders and according to the law. He said that “baseless propaganda” was being perpetuated against the capital city police under a “plan”.

The spokesperson said that the cases were pending in court and were under investigation, adding that the police will complete the cases on merit.

Govt forms JIT to investigate cases

Earlier this week, Minister for Interior Rana Sanaullah Khan said the government has set up a high-level JIT to investigate four cases filed against the PTI chief and his supporters for allegedly attacking courts and law enforcers, vandalism and stopping the court from functioning.

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In a statement, the minister said the JIT will be headed by Additional Inspector General of Police Special Branch Punjab Zulfiqar Hameed, representatives of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), Intelligence Bureau (IB), Military Intelligence (MI) and Islamabad DIG Headquarters Awais Ahmad.

Sanaullah said that action will be taken against the accused in the cases of vandalism at the Federal Judicial Complex and the Islamabad High Court and attacks on security forces.

He said that BPS-18 officers from ISI, IB, and MI will be members of the JIT, including DIG Headquarters Islamabad. He said that in 14 days, the JIT will investigate and present the challan in the court and bring the culprits to justice.