Tension in PTI ranks over state machinery’s 'interference'

PTI candidate files complaint against alleged police raid at RO Office

LAHORE:

Despite explicit directives of the Supreme Court, a lingering atmosphere of despondency pervades within the ranks of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), as manifestations of heavy-handedness by the state machinery persist alongside the continued arrests of candidates affiliated with the nation's largest political party.

In the latest development, Muhammad Yahya Rasheed, counsel for PTI NA-127 candidate Ejaz Chaudhry, has formally lodged a written complaint with the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).

Rasheed outlined the events that took place when he, accompanied by two employees, visited the Returning Officer (RO) Office for NA-127 to submit nomination papers on behalf of his client.

Recounting the incident, Rasheed stated, "I was present in the office of RO Hassan Gillani, Director Civil Defence, when a sizable contingent of police officials raided the RO office, forcibly confiscating nomination papers from us”.

“Furthermore, the police apprehended my two employees without just cause."

Expressing his dismay, Rasheed disclosed that when he brought the matter to the attention of RO Gillani, the latter claimed to have no control over the situation, suggesting recourse to a court of law.

Read also: Gohar says PTI to challenge ECP decision in SC and PHC

This revelation prompted serious concerns about the viability of conducting free and fair elections under such circumstances.

Advocate Yahya underscored that both of his employees remain in police custody, urging the ECP to scrutinise such incidents and facilitate the recovery of Ejaz Chaudhry's nomination papers from the police, ensuring due process.

Simultaneously, PTI posted on the microblogging platform, X (formerly Twitter), that Advocate High Court Waqar Mushtaq was apprehended by the police from the office of the returning officer while submitting nomination papers for Ammar Bashir from PP-162, with the nomination papers subsequently seized.

"The police took Waqar to Shadman Police Station where his fellow lawyers met him, but now the police are denying his presence," stated PTI's official social media handle.

PTI further revealed that the nomination papers for PTI Lahore are encountering substantial hindrances, with rating officers, police, and unidentified individuals posing numerous challenges for PTI.

Read: SC revives PTI’s electoral hopes

Earlier, PTI Central Punjab Vice President Akmal Bari was abducted while submitting papers. On Saturday, PTI Central Punjab President Hammad Azhar's nominations were rejected, citing orders from higher authorities.

Similarly, the lawyer representing the Insaf Youth Wing Lahore president was also abducted during an attempt to submit nomination papers.

The District Returning Officer has also refused to accept the nomination papers of Mian Mehmood-ul-Rashid.

PTI additionally complained that on Friday, the police forcibly took nomination papers from the 83-year-old husband of Dr Yasmeen Rashid and fled.

Police allegedly abused, pushed, and attempted to harass President Lahore High Court Bar Association Advocate Aamir Jalil during the submission of his papers.

Various party leaders and activists have also shared videos on social media depicting instances where police officials and individuals in civilian attire are seen attempting to snatch nomination papers from PTI candidates or creating impediments in the smooth submission of nomination papers.