PTI worker killed, six injured in firing at Quetta protest rally

PTI Balochistan president accuses police of firing on protesters; govt imposes Section 144 to maintain order

QUETTA:

At least one Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) worker was killed and six others injured on Tuesday during a firing incident at a protest rally in Quetta.

Highly charged supporters of former Prime Minister Imran Khan blocked the main Quetta Airport Aoad to protest against his arrest.

"There was a firing incident inside the PTI rally," a senior police officer told The Express Tribune, requesting anonymity as he was not authorised to speak to the media.

PTI Balochistan President Munir Baloch accused the police of firing on the protesters, demanding an investigation into the incident.

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Enraged demonstrators burnt two police vehicles parked near the rally and pelted stones as police fired tear gas to disperse the highly charged supporters of the PTI chief.

Protesters also burnt tires on the main Airport Road Chowk, suspending traffic between Quetta and other parts of Balochistan. The protesters also blocked main national highways in Balochistan linking the country to neighbouring Iran and Afghanistan.

A Balochistan police spokesperson said that three police officers were also injured when protesters fired on them.

The Balochistan government has imposed Section 144 to maintain order.

"The government banned all kinds of political rallies and display of weapons," Balochistan Home Minister Ziaullah Langove told The Express Tribune.

Read more Section 144 imposed across Punjab amid rising unrest

He stressed that no one would be allowed to take the law into their hands and that the government's writ would be ensured at all costs.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Balochistan Mir Quddus Bizenjo directed all deputy commissioners to maintain law and order. He stated that elements creating law and order problems should be brought to justice.