Geo-fencing technology employed by Joint Investigations Teams (JIT) has found a pattern linking Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leadership from Zaman Park on May 8 with rioters outside Jinnah House on May 9.
According to sources, as many as 154 phone numbers that were in contact with the leadership on both days have been shortlisted.
The investigators have reportedly identified six main PTI leaders who had been in contact with the numbers on May 9.
The sources said the investigators suspected the role of party leaders Yasmin Rashid, Hammad Azhar, Mehmoodur Rasheed, Ejaz Chaudhry, Mian Aslam Iqbal and Murad Raas in the incidents.
At least 41 calls were allegedly made by Dr Rashid on May 9 on the numbers being looked into, 75 by Mehmoodur Rasheed, 10 by Hammad Azhar, 16 by Aslam Iqbal and 50 by Ejaz Chaudhry.
On the other hand, Hammad Azhar termed geo-fencing results linking the PTI leadership with arson outside Jinnah House as sheer lies. He said he had never made a call regarding May 9.
He said he had only given a call through social media and that too for Liberty Chowk.
He added that he was at home in Gakharh when former prime minister Imran Khan had been arrested.
Dr Yasmin Rashid, Mehmoodur Rasheed and Ejaz Chaudhry have already been arrested.
The three leaders had been seen present in the mob that had reached Jinnah House from Liberty Chowk. Rashid was allegedly filmed urging protesters to march towards the place.
The woman who was driving her car, Khadija Shah, surrendered before the police on Tuesday.
On May 9, a large number of protesting PTI supporters had gathered outside Jinnah House in Lahore cantonment and set it on fire after looting valuables.
During the following two days, government installations and vehicles were set on fire at several other points also.
The government announced severe action against those involved in violence and formed a high-powered JIT to investigate the whole episode.
Later on, at least 10 JITs, one for each FIR, were constituted. The investigators employed various techniques, including identification of suspects through CCTV footage, videos and geo-fencing.
The authorities have decided to try the persons suspected of being involved in the May 9 incident under the Army Act.
On May 13, the hunt for PTI workers and leaders continues as the Punjab Police have arrested at least 2,790 Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) activists involved in the agitation against the arrest of PTI chief Imran Khan.
Meanwhile, the process of identifying the suspects involved in the attack on sensitive installations continues, utilising CCTV footage and other sources.
The manhunt for PTI leaders, especially those nominated and involved in the attack on Jinnah House in Lahore Cantonment, also continues.
In a recent raid, PTI leader Dr Yasmin Rashid was arrested early in the morning in Lahore, reportedly from a location near Cavalry Ground.
Raids were being conducted to apprehend other PTI leaders, including Mehmoodul Rasheed, Mian Aslam Iqbal, and others.
So far, 152 police officers and officials have been injured in the violent actions of miscreants across Punjab, including 63 officers and personnel from the provincial capital Lahore, 26 from Faisalabad, 13 from Gujranwala, 29 from Rawalpindi, 10 from Attock, five from Sialkot, and six from Mianwali.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 25th, 2023.
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