Govt unleashes iron fist on Imran's PTI

ISLAMABAD:

A day after PTI ventured into a legal minefield to stage its rally in the capital, the government wasted no time on Monday to arrest its leaders for flouting the last-gasp laws hastily enacted ahead of the highly anticipated event – widely seen as a test of embattled party's political muscle.

The ink on the legislation regulating public gatherings was barely dry when the arrests started rolling in, with Islamabad police arresting PTI leaders Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, Sher Afzal Khan Marwat, and Advocate Shoaib Shaheen outside the parliament.

Confirming the arrests, Islamabad police spokesperson Jawad Taqi said more detentions were on the horizon as PTI's Omar Ayub Khan and Zartaj Gul Wazir were also in the crosshairs.

Further, Omar Ayub Khan alleged on X that Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur was being held "incommunicado by the federal government/establishment after being invited for a cup of tea."

He claimed Gandapur's security staff was untraceable, and their phones were off. "This is the state of affairs in Pakistan today," he lamented, criticising the arrest of PTI leaders and alleging that the arrests were a reaction to their peaceful protest on September 8.

According to police sources, a team led by SSP Arslan Shahzaib was dispatched to the K-P House in the early hours of Tuesday, where security blocked entry to Salman Akram Raja and other PTI leaders.

The main entrance to the K-P House was closed, and the PTI legal team was denied access, the sources added.

Earlier in the day, the police lodged three cases against the PTI leadership, accusing them of overstaying their welcome at the rally, pelting stones at officers, and violating pre-determined routes.

Cases have been filed against PTI leaders at three police stations in Islamabad for violating rally regulations, route deviations, and clashes at Chungi No. 26.

Authorities have prepared a list to arrest nine PTI leaders, including Zain Qureshi, Sheikh Waqas, and Seemabia Tahir. Similarly, PTI's Islamabad region's president Amir Mughal is also to be arrested.

On the other hand, Federal Ministers Attaullah Tarar and Engineer Amir Maqam took shots at PTI, accusing the party of coercing attendees into filling the venue, calling the tactic underhanded.

During a press conference in Islamabad, the ministers lambasted the opposition, particularly Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's chief minister, for his inflammatory speech at the rally.

'Attack on democracy'

Reacting to Marwat's arrest, PTI took to X, saying, "The PML-N government should be completely ashamed of this step against a sitting MNA."

The party slammed the government, calling it "a direct attack on democracy," while accusing Islamabad police of acting on "illegal orders." PTI also called on the capital's inspector general of police to "put an end to this act."

In another post, PTI condemned Barrister Gohar's arrest, declaring it a "moment of shame for the entire parliament," stating, "This must be considered a direct attack on the remaining democracy in Pakistan."

PTI declared on X, "Speaker NA should be ashamed for allowing such disrespect of parliament. Pakistan has descended further into undeclared Martial Law."

Similarly, before his arrest, Barrister Gohar said they were not afraid of arrest and criticized the lack of the NA speaker's permission to detain him.

Marwat, in a statement, fired back, "The state has once again proved how afraid it is of (Imran) Khan and his soldiers!"

He added, "Remember, the person they are dragging like this is not a terrorist or murderer. His only crime is his loyalty to Imran Khan and his advocacy for democracy, the rule of law, and the freedom of Pakistanis."

Zulfi Bukhari, a senior PTI leader, voiced his anger, calling for the immediate release of his fellow party members. "It's been over a year, and they're still using the same failed tactics.

"These illegal arrests will only fuel public anger and deepen resentment toward this puppet government and its backers," Bukhari posted on X.

The Islamabad High Court Bar Association also weighed in, denouncing the arrests of Marwat and Shoaib Shaheen, a former association president, and demanding their immediate release.

In a statement shared by PTI lawyer Ali Ijaz Buttar, the association also called for all cases against the two to be dropped.

Marwat was reportedly arrested for involvement in "multiple cases" and whisked away to an undisclosed location, with police refusing to comment further.

PTI leaders have been under the spotlight since the party's rally on September 8 in Islamabad, which has stirred the political pot.

Meanwhile, PML-N Senator Talal Chaudhry vowed legal action against K-P Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, accusing him of leading the charge in "attacking and pelting stones" at Islamabad police during Sunday's showdown.

What began as a public gathering in Sangjani ended in chaos at Chungi No 26, as clashes erupted between police and PTI supporters who allegedly refused to stick to the agreed-upon routes.

A dispute over the event's timeframe added fuel to the fire. According to police, PTI supporters defied traffic regulations and used routes intended for the public, leading to tensions.

The situation escalated when PTI supporters began hurling stones at the police, prompting officers to retaliate with baton charges and tear gas. Dozens of protesters were arrested and taken to various police facilities.

In a televised address on Monday, Chaudhry said, "Once again, the Islamabad police was deliberately attacked by those led by the K-P chief minister." He promised that not only those who threw stones but also their "mastermind" would face legal consequences.

"No one obstructed PTI supporters, yet they attacked the police to cover up their failed rally," Chaudhry claimed, vowing that the law would prevail.

He hinted at Gandapur's future, saying, "From the chief minister's office, I see him heading to Adiala Jail."

Ahead of the PTI rally, the Islamabad administration had ramped up security, blocking city entry points with containers.

Addressing Gandapur, Chaudhry said, "You cannot threaten institutions and parliament with impunity. We are determined to put an end to political incitement, no matter how much legislation or strict punishment it requires."