341 detained in swoop on May 9 rioters across Sindh

PTI MPA Firdous Shamim Naqvi arrested

KARACHI:

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Firdous Shamim Naqvi has been arrested in Karachi amid an ongoing crackdown against the party.

Police arrested PTI MPA Naqvi from Pehelwan Goth on charges of rioting, damaging public and private property, and disturbance of peace. Naqvi was mobilizing party workers and supporters in various areas of the city before his arrest.

In a statement, police said several cases were registered Naqvi during the recent protests following the arrest of PTI Chairman Imran Khan - who was later released on Supreme Court of Pakistan's (SC) orders.

During the street protests, Naqvi mobilized and led rallies in different areas.

Meanwhile, the police have also detained four female party workers from Insaf House at Shahre Faisal.

Police arrest 341 PTI workers amid province-wide crackdown

Law enforcement agencies are carrying out a crackdown against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders and workers across Sindh, resulting in the arrest of 341 individuals.

Sindh Inspector General Ghulam Nabi Memon has confirmed that over 40 cases have been registered against the arrested PTI members, including provisions of terrorism, rioting, and arson.

According to reports, CCTV footage has been instrumental in identifying the accused and their leaders, who are allegedly responsible for setting fire to and vandalizing police and ranger posts across Sindh. The Karachi Police have examined CCTV footage from six locations, resulting in the ongoing process of arresting the accused.

SSPs have been tasked with apprehending more individuals involved in the recent riots. The situation remains fluid, and further updates are expected as the crackdown against the PTI leaders and workers continues.

"I am ashamed of what I have done"

Police have arrested a man and his son in an ongoing crackdown for those involved in rioting and vandalism following the arrest of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan on May 9. Abdul Hameed and Huzaifa Hameed were arrested by the East Zone police for allegedly setting fire to a Sindh Rangers post off Sharae Faisal.

As per details, the two were taken into custody in a raid conducted on the basis of intelligence information in Gulistan-e-Jauhar. They are residents of Gulistan-e- Jauhar, Block 13. Huzaifa shot video with his mobile phone camera as his father allegedly burnt the Rangers post. A case was registered against the alleged arsonists on terrorism charges following the May 9 vandalism.

A video clip that went viral on social media also allegedly shows Abdul Hameed admitting torching the Rangers post and challenging the army leadership.

A video statement of the accused has also emerged following his arrest, in which he says: "My name is Abdul Hameed and I set fire to the Rangers post located on Sharae Faisal on May 9." He further said that he had done that on the instigation of his party's leadership.

Abdul Hameed further said that his son Huzaifa had shot the video on his instructions which was later uploaded to social media where it went viral. However, once in the clutches of law Hameed took a U-turn. "I am sincerely ashamed of what I have done," he said in his statement after arrest while regretting his arson attack.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, May 15^th, 2023.