What charges PTI leaders face over alleged assault on police at Islamabad rally?

Cases involve serious allegations under Anti-Terrorism Act and ‘Peaceful Assembly and Public Order Act 2024’

ISLAMABAD:

Multiple Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders, including high-ranking figures, have been charged with terrorism-related offences following accusations of violence against police officers during a rally in Islamabad.

The cases, registered at Sangjani and CTD police stations, involve serious allegations under the Anti-Terrorism Act and the “Peaceful Assembly and Public Order Act 2024.”

According to an FIR obtained by The Express Tribune, PTI leaders including Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, Shoaib Shaheen, Omar Ayub, Sheikh Waqas Akram, Khalid Khurshid, and other prominent figures, are among those charged.

The FIR was lodged by Magistrate Islamabad Ghulam Murtaza Chandio, citing interference with official duties, violence, and threats.

The complaint alleges that the rally organisers were repeatedly informed that their No Objection Certificate (NOC) had expired and that they should disperse the crowd. PTI members, including Aamir Mughal, Faisal Amin Gandapur, Sheikh Bilal Ijaz, and others, refused to comply, stating, "We do not recognise any laws or rules, do whatever you want."

Despite multiple warnings from officials, the rally continued with anti-state speeches being delivered from the stage. According to the FIR, at approximately 8:30 pm, law enforcement requested the organisers to halt the event, but the crowd remained. By 9:30 pm, Magistrate Asim Ali Zaidi and DSP attempted to approach the organisers behind the stage, where the situation escalated.

Ali Amin Gandapur allegedly took a gun from his security personnel and held it to the temple of a DSP, threatening violence. Khalid Khurshid reportedly placed a pistol to an ASI's head, stating, "If you tell us to stop again, I will shoot you." Aamir Mughal allegedly snatched a police wireless set, while armed PTI members tore apart officers’ uniforms.

Shoaib Shaheen is accused of striking a constable with the butt of a pistol, and Sheikh Waqas Akram allegedly grabbed an ASI by the collar, dragging him and assaulting him with kicks and punches. Zain Qureshi, Hameed Raza, and Mahmood Khan Achakzai are also accused of pushing and shoving a constable, verbally abusing officers, and stealing a bulletproof jacket.

The FIR further alleges that the rally leaders unlawfully confined the police team and disrupted official duties by surrounding them. In total, 11 sections, including provisions from the Anti-Terrorism Act (7ATA), have been invoked in the case, alongside charges of violence and threats against public officials.

Separate terrorism cases have also been lodged at the CTD police station, targeting PTI leaders. The charges against former speaker Asad Qaiser and Shahid Khattak include allegations of attempting to run over police officers with their vehicle.

The police are continuing their investigation into the charges, while PTI leaders, including Barrister Gohar, who has been discharged, maintain their innocence, accusing the government of politically motivated persecution.