PTI stages rallies, faces govt wrath

Imran, other party leaders facing a slew of cases against them, including cases involving May 9 vandalism incidents.

LAHORE:

Dozens of PTI leaders and workers were taken into custody across the country on Thursday, particularly in Punjab where the PML-N is in power, as they held demonstrations demanding the release of former premier and party’s founding chairman Imran Khan.

Imran Khan and other party leaders are facing a slew of cases against them, including those related to the May 9 vandalism incidents. The PTI maintains that the charges against their party founder and other senior members are false and fabricated and should therefore be withdrawn.

In Rawalpindi and Islamabad, local authorities issued 15-day detention orders for four PTI leaders and registered two separate FIRs against senior party members.

An FIR at Islamabad’s Bani Gala police station listed nine charges, including terrorism, for alleged violation of Section 144 and assault on police personnel.

According to the report, around 35 individuals, led by PTI leaders Shoaib Shaheen, Amir Mughal, and Alamgir Khan, held a motorcycle rally from a private housing society. Protesters reportedly pelted stones at an official vehicle, shattering its windows. Eleven demonstrators were arrested while others fled the scene.

Another case was registered at the Saddar Bairuni police station in Rawalpindi against a PTI MPA and other workers. The FIR stated that the suspects gathered a large crowd at Jorian Chowk, delivered speeches via loudspeakers, blocked the road, and obstructed citizen movement.

In Kot Addu, a protest rally led to the arrest of a PTI worker. Police registered a case against 49 individuals, including 39 named workers, on various charges, alleging that the suspects stole thousands of rupees and service cards from a police constable.

In Gojra, a case was registered against MNA Osama Hamza, MPA Asad Zaman Cheema, MPA Ahsan Ehsan, and 28 named individuals, along with 12 unknown individuals, for violating Section 144 by organizing a rally. Several lawyers, including Advocate Waqas Khan Mahota, were also named in the FIR.

In Rahim Yar Khan, following a complaint by ASI Shahzad Qamar of Manthar Police Station, police registered a case against 20-25 unnamed PTI workers for organizing a public rally and blocking a road in violation of Section 144. The protesters chanted slogans against the government.

In Layyah, following a complaint by the sub inspector of Karor police station, a case was registered against 37 named PTI workers and 20-25 unnamed political activists for staging a demonstration in support of Imran Khan.

Similarly, in Ahmedpur East, police registered two cases against 28 individuals following a public rally, which resulted in nine arrests.

In Burewala, Model Town Police arrested three PTI workers following a pro-Imran Khan rally. A case was filed against 12 named individuals and 25 unidentified workers under Section 16 of the MPO and other provisions.

In Kalabagh, Dawoodkhel police station filed a case against 32 PTI activists, including MNA Jamal Ahsan Khan, Barrister Umair Khan Niazi, and MPA Aminullah Khan, for participating in a rally. The charges included violations of the Sound System Act and delivering anti-government speeches.

In Jhang, an FIR was filed against MNA Sheikh Waqas Akram and others for organizing a protest meeting and rally. The FIR also named Faisal Kalwana, Usman, Faizan, Faisal Nazir, and Shahid Nazir. No arrests were reported till the filing of this report.

Like the rest of the country, the residents of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa also staged peaceful but massive protests in various districts for the release of Imran Khan.

In Kohat rallies were held at Kachhari Chowk. In Shangla, PTI held a massive protest rally in Shahpur.