PTI leaders Barrister Gohar, Sher Afzal Marwat arrested outside Parliament House

Islamabad police arrested Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan and Member of National Assembly (MNA) Sher Afzal Marwat outside Parliament House following a National Assembly session on Monday.

According to Express News, a heavy police presence had gathered outside the Parliament House in anticipation. As PTI leaders exited the building, police took positions and swiftly moved to detain Marwat.

A scuffle reportedly broke out between Marwat’s supporters and the police during Marwat's arrest. However, police managed to surround and apprehend the MNA, seizing his vehicle before leaving the scene.

While Sher Afzal Marwat was forcefully taken into custody, another PTI leader, Aamir Dogar, exited the Parliament House without any hindrance.

Sources indicate that Sher Afzal Marwat was arrested due to legal violations committed during last night’s rally.

The violations include disrupting the agreed route, breaching commitments, attacking Islamabad police, exceeding permitted timings, and delivering anti-state speeches.

Sources within Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf have claimed that Advocate Shoaib Shaheen has also been arrested by police from his office.

Meanwhile, PTI leaders Aamir Dogar and Ali Muhammad Khan exited Parliament House without any hindrance.

Following Sher Afzal Marwat’s arrest, several PTI leaders and parliamentarians decided to remain inside the Parliament building. Barrister Gohar, Zain Qureshi, and Waqas Akram have since returned to the premises.

The police have stated that Zartaj Gul and Omar Ayub will also be arrested.

According to sources, PTI leader Zartaj Gul managed to evade arrest by sitting in the back seat of a car and deceiving the police, a claim confirmed by a PTI spokesperson.

The development took place hours after police in Islamabad filed three cases against the PTI leadership for failing to conclude last night’s rally on time, pelting stones on police officers, and violating designated routes.

The cases were registered under the Public Order and Peace Act, following the PTI’s public gathering at Islamabad’s Sangjani.

The first case was lodged at Sangjani Police Station for the rally exceeding its permitted time limit.

A second case was registered at Sumbal Police Station for violating the pre-approved route by leading convoys through Sadaat Colony and Srinagar Highway.

The third case, filed at Noon Police Station, pertains to stone-pelting on law enforcement officials, including senior superintendent of police (SSP) Safe City and other officers.

According to police sources, the prosecution has been prepared, with 28 local PTI leaders, including Sher Afzal Marwat, Zartaj Gul, Aamir Mughal, Shoaib Shaheen, Omar Ayub, Seemabia Tahir, and Raja Basharat, named in the cases.

The prosecution further alleges that PTI workers attacked police with stones and sticks after being stopped for route violations, leading to the arrest of 17 workers following the use of tear gas by authorities.

Earlier today, federal ministers Attaullah Tarar and Engineer Amir Maqam alleged that attendees at the opposition’s recent rally were forced to participate, accusing the opposition of using unethical tactics to fill their event.

Speaking at a press conference in Islamabad, the ministers criticized the opposition, particularly the Chief Minister of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, for his use of provocative language at the rally.

Yesterday, after a long gap, Imran Khan's beleaguered party finally managed to hold a rally in Islamabad amid clashes with the capital's police which left dozens of policemen and PTI workers injured.

Authorities had granted permission to the PTI to hold a public gathering in the capital on Sunday.

However, they had also turned Islamabad literally into a walled city with shipping containers blocking all the roads linking it to neighbouring Rawalpindi in anticipation of the rally and over 6,000 personnel of police and the Frontier Constabulary (FC) manning the routes.

Public transportation, including the Metro Bus service between Rawalpindi and Islamabad, as well as the Green and Blue Line bus services within Islamabad, were suspended while trains arriving in Islamabad and Rawalpindi were delayed.

All hotels, guest houses, and shops around the gathering venue were also closed on the order of the relevant police station.

Interestingly, last month, Marwat announced that he would personally oversee the planning of all future rallies and protests, taking full responsibility should any incidents similar to those of May 9 occur.

He stressed that all future planning would be done independently, without consulting Imran Khan, to ensure any repercussions would fall solely on him.

Marwat reaffirmed his commitment to leading peaceful protests and urged PTI supporters, especially students, lawyers, and farmers, to actively join the movement against the current political situation.

SCBA condemns arrests

The Supreme Court Bar Association of Pakistan (SCBAP) has strongly condemned the arrests of Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, Muhammad Shoaib Shaheen, and Sher Afzal Marwat, all of whom are esteemed members of the association.

SCBAP President Shahzad Shaukat and Secretary Syed Ali Imran, along with the 26th Executive Committee, expressed grave concern over the arrests, calling for their immediate and unconditional release.

SCBAP reiterated its stance against the unwarranted arrests of lawyers for their participation in political activities. The association highlighted that the Constitution of Pakistan guarantees fundamental rights, including the right to life, liberty, a fair trial, dignity, freedom of assembly, and freedom of speech. "These constitutional rights must be fully respected without exception," the statement urged.

SCBAP also criticised the Peaceful Protest and Public Order Act 2024, labelling it unconstitutional and a violation of fundamental rights. The association believes the legislation threatens the essential freedoms of assembly, speech, and expression, which are cornerstones of a democratic society.

The association condemned the arrests as an abuse of power and a clear case of political victimisation, warning that such actions undermine the rule of law. SCBAP cautioned that this could lead the country into chaos and erode the fabric of its democracy.

In its statement, SCBAP demanded the immediate release of all unlawfully detained lawyers and urged the government to uphold constitutional values. The association warned that failure to do so may result in nationwide strikes.

"Let there be no mistake," SCBAP stated, "We will not tolerate any infringement on the fundamental rights of our members or the legal community at large."