Crackdown on PTI activists

More than 200 people have been arrested by the Rawalpindi police as a result of a crackdown against the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)’s leaders, workers and supporters to quell the law and order situation that resulted after the arrest of party chief Imran Khan.

According to sources, over 200 PTI workers have been arrested so far in seven FIRs registered on Tuesday night and Wednesday in different police stations of the garrison city. The prominent party leaders have gone into hiding.

The 52 arrested PTI workers and supporters, who were allegedly involved in disturbing law and order situations and violent protests, were sent to jail on judicial remand.

Former provincial law minister Raja Basharat was nominated in the FIR of the attack on the General Headquarters of the Pakistan Army.

According to information received from the police, cases of violent protests by PTI workers were registered in RA Bazar, Sadiqabad, City, Ganjmundi, Morgah, Race Course and Naseerabad police stations. All cases include anti-terrorism provisions.

Police said that the case of the attack on GHQ was registered in RA Bazar Police Station on the complaint of Sub-Inspector Riaz, in which it was alleged that on May 9 at 5.50pm, 250 to 300 protesters headed towards the GHQ from Saddar.

The protesters, who were armed with petrol bombs and batons and led by former provincial law minister Raja Basharat and Khalid Jadoon, also raised slogans against the Pakistan Army.

The protesters stormed GHQ Gate No. 1 at the instigation of their leaders after breaking its gate. They broke the windows and doors of the GHQ building and severely damaged the government property inside and outside the building and started fire by throwing petrol bombs.

The accused set fire and pelted stones at the personnel on duty and spread fear and panic. Police arrested six suspects, including Haider Mehmood, Babar Ashraf, Zahid Ramzan, Khadim Hussain, Hamza Latif and Sher Iqbal on the spot while the other accused left for Murrir Chowk.

According to the police, the PTI workers participating in the violent protests in Rawalpindi were being identified with the help of CCTV cameras, while special teams were formed to arrest them.

The law enforcement agencies and the police have mutually decided that the activists who are not nominated in the cases will be detained under 16 MPO while action will be taken against the nominated accused according to the law.

Meanwhile, the Rawalpindi district administration on Tuesday imposed section 144 in Rawalpindi to control the overall law and order situation.

According to a district administration spokesperson, a ban on public gatherings and political activities was imposed across the city. Strict legal action would be taken against violators of section 144, he added.

Section 144 was imposed after a meeting held in Punjab Home Department, he informed.

Rawalpindi Commissioner Liaquat Ali Chattha said that strict implementation of Section 144 would be ensured by the district administration.

Rallies, meetings and other gatherings would not be allowed and a complete ban on gatherings of more than four people would be ensured, he said adding, no one would be allowed to carry arms. Rawalpindi City Police Officer Syed Khalid Mehmood Hamdani warned that violating the law, committing vandalism, attacking police, and blocking roads while protesting was not permissible.

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