Dozens charged with terror offences
Still from a video shared by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Hammad Azhar shows police personnel beating a detained PTI worker in Lahore on March 8, 2023.—Courtesy: Twitter/@Hammad_Azhar
Police have arrested more than 200 people during a crackdown against miscreants who damaged government installations during protests against the arrest of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan on May 9.
The arrests were made during a five-day operation after five cases were registered in different police stations.
Dozens of local leaders and hundreds of political activists have been nominated and charged with terrorism, damage to government property and other offences.
The police have arrested former federal minister Malik Amir Dogar, former legislators Wasif Mazhar Ran, Ibrahim Khan and Hussain Jahanian Gardizi, detaining them for 30 days after obtaining a detention order under the Maintenance of Public Order law.
Police sources said the active leaders and workers had been sent to jails in other regions to prevent illegal activities.
Local police have also deployed heavy contingents at various locations to ensure peace and order.
Several locations were raided to arrest more suspects in vandalising and pelting government installations, including security checkpoints, with stones.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 15th, 2023.