LEAs go all-out against PTI activists

Embattled leaders, workers go into hiding to evade mass arrests

RAWALPINDI:

The Rawalpindi police have launched a crackdown to apprehend leaders and workers of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in a significant escalation of political tensions between the embattled political party and powers that be.

The fresh crackdown follows the registration of multiple cases related to a protest held at Liaquat Bagh on September 28, alongside plans for a subsequent demonstration in Islamabad scheduled for October 4.

On the night of October 1, law enforcement officials arrested 55 PTI workers from their residences, offices, and other locations. Sources privy to the development said these individuals have been transferred to Adiala Jail for identification parades.

In response to the ongoing police actions, many PTI activists have opted to go into hiding to evade capture. The party's leadership has collectively decided to resist arrest until October 6, when they plan to seek interim bail beginning on October 7.

The Waris Khan, City, and New Town police stations are actively conducting raids to detain PTI activists implicated in the protest-related cases, sources said. Although several operations have been undertaken to apprehend suspects, no further arrests have been reported during these attempts. Officers from these police stations have been reaching out to PTI workers via phone, advising them to surrender voluntarily or pursue interim bail through the courts.

One notable case involves PTI worker Asif Khan Jadoon, who is currently recovering from bypass surgery in an intensive care unit. He has been named in the vandalism charges stemming from the protest outside Waris Khan police station. Reports indicate that hospital visitation rights have been restricted for Jadoon amid the ongoing legal issues.

PTI city leadership has accused local members of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz of orchestrating these legal actions against their voters and supporters. In the wake of heightened police activity, PTI members who remain free have been convening to strategise for the impending protest in Islamabad.