Imran named in terrorism cases over Pindi protests

RAWALPINDI:

The Rawalpindi police on Sunday registered three new terrorism cases against PTI founder Imran Khan and chairman Barrister Gohar Khan following the violent protests on September 28 at Liaquat Bagh on Murree Road.

The cases, which include serious allegations of inciting violence against national institutions, also named Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur.

The FIR accuses the PTI chairman of calling for protests from Adiala Jail, with Gandapur actively participating.

The cases, filed under the Anti-Terrorism Act (Section 7), also include charges of attempted murder, violations of Section 144, and other terrorism-related offenses.

The PTI chairman and K-P CM have also been directly named in the cases for abetment under Section 109 of the Pakistan Penal Code.

The New Town and Civil Lines police stations lodged these cases.

In addition to criticising the Punjab government and national institutions, protesters are accused of vandalism, rioting, and stone-pelting.

Cases were filed across Rawalpindi, including two cases at City Police Station, where 15 leaders were named and 300 protesters remain unidentified.

 

Around 450 PTI workers, along with key leaders such as Aliya Hamza, Aamir Mughal, Shehryar Riaz, and all national and provincial assembly candidates from Rawalpindi district, have been named in the FIRs.

 

PTI leaders, workers arrested

Meanwhile, following the violent protests and clashes between PTI supporters and police in Rawalpindi on September 28, more than 126 PTI leaders and workers have been arrested, and six terrorism cases have been registered at five different police stations.

These cases include charges under the Anti-Terrorism Act, attempted murder, and various other offenses.

Among those named in the FIRs are PTI's key leaders, including Shehryar Riaz from NA-56, Seemabia Tahir, and Amir Mughal, a candidate from Islamabad, as well as Rawalpindi PTI President Chaudhry Amir Afzal and Aliya Hamza.

The FIRs mention a total of 107 leaders and workers, while over 450 participants remain unidentified.

Senior police officers confirmed that PTI's leadership, despite the imposed restrictions, called for the protests, leading to widespread unrest.

During the protests, PTI supporters allegedly wielded spiked clubs, threw stones, and hurled petrol-soaked rags at police vehicles.

They are also accused of snatching police equipment, including wireless sets, helmets, and rifles. Police have begun identifying the remaining suspects using CCTV footage and videos from the scene.

 

In addition to the protests at Liaquat Bagh, cases were filed across Rawalpindi, including two cases at City Police Station, where 15 leaders were named and 300 protesters remain unidentified.