PTI activist Sanam Javed's father arrested amid Lahore rally crackdown

Police intensify crackdown on PTI members ahead of party's planned rally on September 21

Police have intensified their crackdown on Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) members ahead of the party's planned rally in Lahore. On Thursday night, authorities arrested the father of prominent PTI activist Sanam Javed from his residence, sources revealed.

The arrest was part of a broader operation by Lahore's police, targeting individuals linked to the unrest of May 9, which saw significant damage and clashes during political turmoil. The police have been directed to focus on apprehending the remaining suspects as the rally approaches.

Heavy police presence was reported at the residence of Javed Iqbal, Sanam Javed's father, in Wahdat Colony, where he was taken into custody and moved to an undisclosed location.

As the rally, scheduled for September 21, draws near, PTI has vowed to proceed despite the ongoing police raids, arrests, and legal hurdles. The party's leadership, including Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, confirmed the rally would go ahead, whether or not local authorities grant the necessary permissions.

In preparation for the event, police have devised a comprehensive security plan, which includes the installation of cameras at all entry points to the rally site and the deployment of officers equipped with photos and data of suspects wanted in connection with the May 9 incidents. Senior police officials will oversee the operation, ensuring strict security measures are in place.

PTI's parliamentary leader in the Punjab Assembly, Ali Imtiaz Warraich, was also briefly detained before being released. Additionally, a late-night raid targeted the residence of PTI leader Aliya Hamza, who had recently been released on bail after a 16-month imprisonment.

In response to the arrests, PTI filed a petition with the Lahore High Court, arguing that the police are violating the constitutional rights of its members. The plea, submitted by party leaders Sheikh Imtiaz Mahmood and Yasir Gillani, seeks protection from further detentions.