Punjab sees second day of clashes

Ex-governor Sarfaraz Cheema arrested in raid on his house

LAHORE:

Over 435 Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) activists were arrested by the Punjab Police throughout the province as clashes with the police, attacks on public establishments and a deteriorating law and order situation continued on the second day of agitation against PTI Chief Imran Khan's arrest.

So far, 40 policemen, including DIG Operations Ali Nasir Rizvi, have been injured in the clashes. Rizvi suffered a serious injury to his eye socket and head.

The victims are currently undergoing treatment at Lahore Services Hospital. DIG Elite Police Sadiq Ali Dogar has been given additional charge as DIG Operations Lahore.

At least six FIRs in Lahore, including an attack on and vandalism of a sensitive installation in Cantonment, have been registered.

PTI leaders Yasmin Rashid, Ejaz Chaudhry, Mehmood Rasheed, and others have been named in these FIRs. The clashes also resulted in the deaths of at least two people, claimed by PTI to be their workers.

Throughout the day, PTI workers also attacked Shadman police station, torched over half a dozen police vehicles, and set fire to Askari Tower. Reportedly, a burnt body has been recovered from the plaza.

The day began with the news of the arrest of former Punjab governor Omar Sarfaraz Cheema during a raid at his house reportedly conducted by the Punjab Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE).

He has allegedly been implicated in a corruption case involving the transfer of property to his sister through forged documents.

Throughout the day, PTI workers continued to clash with the police at four major points in the city: Zaman Park, Liberty Chowk, Jail Road PTI main office, and Mall Road.

The protestors engaged in stone-pelting and set tires and other objects on fire to block roads, while the police responded with tear gas shelling and baton charges in order to disperse the crowd.

The cat-and-mouse game between the police and the protesters continued throughout the day in an effort to restore normalcy to the city. The total number of arrests from various districts has risen to 1,380.

The spokesperson for Punjab Police stated that a careful review is being conducted using CCTV recordings and video footage to identify and arrest the troublemakers.

He warned that the records of miscreants and lawbreakers would be included in their character certificates, which would prevent them from obtaining jobs and visas to foreign countries due to their criminal backgrounds. He further stated that those who attacked government property, the police force, and law enforcement agencies do not deserve any sympathy, and all miscreants would be punished.

Protesters seriously injured over 145 police officers and personnel during violent activities across the province, and they also destroyed and set fire to more than 60 vehicles belonging to the police and government departments.

IGP Dr Usman Anwar stated that strict legal action would be taken against those who challenge the rule of law and the writ of the state. He pledged that the miscreants who injured police officers and personnel and caused damage to government property would be brought to justice.

Dr Anwar visited Services Hospital early Wednesday morning and inquired about the officers and personnel undergoing treatment in the hospital for injuries sustained during stone pelting and violence by angry protesters. Senior police officers accompanied him during the visit.

He inquired after the heath of DIG Operations Ali Nasir Rizvi.

He inquired about all the injured officers and personnel one on one including DSP, SHOs under treatment. While praying for their speedy recovery, he directed doctors to provide the best treatment facilities to the officers and officials under treatment.

IGP Punjab said that he salutes the brave and dutiful officers and officials who did not care about their lives while protecting the lives and properties of the citizens. Dr Usman Anwar said that strict legal action would be taken against the miscreants who challenged the rule of law and writ of the state.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 11^th, 2023.