PTI’s Marwat freed after 'brief arrest' amid uproar

Alleges K-P police attempted to 'abduct' him with heavy-duty 300 policemen

BAJAUR:

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Senior Vice President Sher Afzal Marwat on Friday alleged an attempted “abduction” by K-P police while en route to Gulabad near Chakdara for a convention scheduled in Bajaur on Saturday.

Marwat claimed that the police made a concerted effort to 'abduct' him as he was entering Gulabad, with approximately 300 heavily equipped officers allegedly involved in the incident.

However, following the uproar from the workers present, the police subsequently released them and instructed them to retreat from Bajaur.

Read  PTI's Sher Afzal Marwat, other booked for violating sec 144

Taking to his official X handle, Marwat stated, "I managed to escape the attempt of DIR police to abduct me with the heavy-duty 300 policemen trying to ABDUCT me, while I was entering Gulabad near Chakdara on my way for tomorrow's convention in Bajaur."

I managed to escape the attempt of DIR police to abduct me with the heavy duty 300 policemen trying to ABDUCT me, while I was entering Gulabaad near Chakdarrabon my way for tomorrow's conventionin Bajour. Our workers blocked the road to make it possible for me to escape the…

— Sher Afzal Khan Marwat (@sherafzalmarwat) December 8, 2023

Marwat urged PTI workers to attend the convention in large numbers, emphasising their commitment to a better Pakistan.

"We will not give up our hope for a better Pakistan, and Inshallah we will fight against those who have chained our leader Imran Khan and want to see all of Pakistan in chains," he said.

The former ruling party had previously claimed Marwat's arrest while en route to Bajaur, sparking protests and the closure of Chakdara Road.

Chairman Imran Khan’s lawyer @sherafzalmarwat has been kidnapped from Chakdara, on his way to Bajaur for tomorrow’s worker convention.

We demand his immediate release, these pressure tactics cannot and won’t work. Pre-poll rigging attempts must be immediately stopped.

Once…

— PTI (@PTIofficial) December 8, 2023

This development followed the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) against Marwat and PTI workers for organising a worker's convention in Swabi last Saturday. Authorities charged 21 local PTI leaders and others for violating Section 144.

Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code 1898 empowers the district administration to impose a complete ban on any form of unlawful or unauthorised gathering, rally, assembly, protest, or gathering of more than five people.

Also read: PTI's Sher Afzal Marwat, other booked for violating sec 144

Marwat had secured protective bail from the Islamabad High Court (IHC) in two cases previously. In October, a case was filed against him in K-P for allegedly provoking the public against state institutions through social media.

In August, over 90 PTI workers were arrested in different districts of K-P for holding rallies against the detention of the party's founding chairman, Imran Khan.