K-P CM Gandapur booked in Lahore for violent clashes at toll plaza

FIR says 250-300 armed men reportedly vandalised Sialkot-Lahore Motorway toll plaza, breaking windows and CCTV cameras

LAHORE:

A case has been filed against the chief minister of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Ali Amin Gandapur, and 300 unidentified individuals in Lahore for alleged violent behaviour, including damaging property and attacking police officers.

The First Information Report (FIR) states that a group of 250-300 armed and agitated people, led by Gandapur, arrived at the Sialkot-Lahore Motorway. They reportedly vandalised the toll plaza, breaking windows and CCTV cameras. The incident occurred while Lahore police officers were stationed at the toll plaza.

The FIR, lodged by Hadyara Station House Officer Hamas Hameed at Manawan police station, includes charges of terrorism, attempted murder, and other serious offences. The FIR details that, when police attempted to intervene, the mob turned violent, smashing the windows of vehicles in queue, attempting to set them on fire, and driving vehicles towards police personnel.

According to the report, the mob also brandished firearms, forcing police officers to leap to safety. Gandapur and Shahid Khattak, who were leading the mob, allegedly fled the scene during the chaos.

Eyewitnesses mentioned that Gandapur, frustrated by roadblocks on his way to his party’s rally in Lahore, smashed a truck window with his rifle. The convoy from Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa was delayed at the Ferozwala-Kala Shah Kaku interchange due to containers placed on the road by local authorities.

The situation escalated when Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) supporters attacked police officers, damaging vehicles in a separate clash. Authorities had allowed the PTI rally until 6 pm, but the convoys from Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa failed to reach the venue in time. Subsequently, the police were ordered to clear the rally site, cutting off power and clearing the main stage.

The development adds further tension to the already politically charged atmosphere with more legal actions expected to follow ahead of PTI next rally announced later this month in Rawalpindi.