Son of JI deputy chief Liaquat Baloch charged with Section 144 violation and incitement in Islamabad

A case has been registered against Ahmad Salman Baloch, the son of Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) deputy chief Liaquat Baloch, for violating Section 144 and inciting unrest during a sit-in in Islamabad.

The case was filed at Muslim Town police station.

According to the complaint filed by the police, despite the government's implementation of Section 144, which prohibits public gatherings, Ahmad Salman Baloch led a group of 15 to 20 people in raising slogans against the government.

He allegedly delivered a speech that agitated the citizens, leading to disturbances.

The FIR against Ahmad Salman Baloch includes charges under Section 16 of the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) Ordinance, as well as Sections 147 (rioting), 149 (members of unlawful assembly guilty of offence committed in pursuance of common object), and 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant) of the Pakistan Penal Code.

These charges relate to causing damage to government property and inciting unrest, resulting in a disturbance of peace.

The police report indicates that Ahmad Salman Baloch evaded arrest by escaping in a bus following an attempt to detain him.

On Friday evening, the Jamaat-e-Islami commenced its planned sit-in in Islamabad, with a large number of workers gathering at I-8 on the Islamabad Expressway.

The sit-in, led by party leader Hafiz Naeemur Rehman, began with a short address by him.

In his speech, Hafiz Naeem condemned the actions of the Punjab Police, who reportedly raided the homes of JI workers in an attempt to disrupt the protest.

He posed a rhetorical question to the government, asking if they believed such tactics would end the sit-in.

“The sit-in has just started and will remain here,” declared Hafiz Naeem. He criticized the government for imposing high electricity bills and introducing Independent Power Producers (IPPs), which he referred to as “power bombs” on the public.