Karachi police lodge FIR against 550 PTI workers

Case lodged against rioting, vandalism and disrupting public order near University Road

Karachi Police have registered a case against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Karachi president and seven other senior leaders, along with over 500 other unidentified workers, on charges of rioting, vandalism and disrupting public order during a rally on University Road in Karachi.

The case was lodged at the PIB Colony Police Station on behalf of the state, following violent incidents during a rally held on August 5 near Gulshan-e-Iqbal.

The rally was led by PTI leaders Raja Azhar, Firdous Shamim Naqvi, Arsalan Khalid, Awab Alvi, Saifur Rehman, and Alamgir Khan, and attended by an estimated 500 to 600 participants.

According to the FIR, rally participants blocked oncoming traffic and ignored police directives to disperse.

Despite repeated warnings, several attendees, allegedly armed with sticks, began pelting stones at law enforcement personnel, prompting police to respond with tear gas under self-defence measures.

During the clash, Head Constable Ejaz from Aziz Bhatti Police Station sustained head injuries after being struck by a stone. Protesters fled through nearby streets as police regained control of the situation.

Station House Officer (SHO) PIB Inspector Muhammad Ashfaq confirmed that the FIR was registered under Sections 147, 148, 149, 186, and 353 of the Pakistan Penal Code, among others.

He stated that 12 PTI workers had been arrested, while 500 to 550 unidentified suspects named in the FIR remain at large. Investigations are ongoing.

Separately, Islamabad police have registered a case against 16 workers of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), including both men and women, for participating in a protest on the Islamabad Expressway.

The protest took place on August 5, during which female PTI workers were seen chanting slogans and waving party flags.

Police arrested the demonstrators on the spot and later transferred them to Lohi Bher police station.

According to officials, the FIR includes a total of 16 legal sections, including provisions under the PAPA Act and 11 other offences. Legal proceedings are currently underway.