The ATC earlier, on Wednesday, issued non-bailable warrants against PAT and PTI workers who had stormed the Pakistan Television building on September 1 during the parties’ sit-in at Constitution Avenue.
Secretariat Police SHO Muhammad Nawaz Bhatti linked the arrests of the suspects with their availability, saying that many of the nominated leaders were not present in the capital, while those who were present are “hiding” behind their supporters. “We will not arrest people present at the sit-in site just to avoid clashes.”
Bhatti explained that there was no fixed time for arrests following the non-baliable warrants, adding that the police have to deal with hundreds of cases simultaneously and it was important to give time to each and every matter.
Meanwhile, an ATC declared PTI Chairman Imran Khan and Pakistan Awami Tehreek chief Tahirul Qadri and others absconders in a case related to the attack on Senior Superintendent of Islamabad Police (SSP) Operations Asmatullah Junejo.
Junejo took a severe beating at the hands of protesters on Constitution Avenue. The incident also took place on September 1, less than 24 hours after he was appointed to the post.
In response to this, Bhatti said that the PTI and PAT leadership were accused of abetment in the case and the police was still trying to arrest the main suspects in the case. “Key suspects will be arrested first, and then it is the abettors’ turn.”
The police have registered the two FIRs under various sections of the Pakistan Penal Code and Anti-Terrorism Act including murder, attempted murder, assault, abetment, damaging government buildings and machinery, trespassing, and obstruction of official duties.
The ATC issued non-bailable warrants (NBWs) for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan, Vice-Chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) chief Dr Tahirul Qadri and others in connection with the attack on state buildings. Warrants were also issued for Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Awami Muslim League leader Sheikh Rashid Ahmad, Saifullah Niazi, Dr Raheeq Abbasi, Asad Umar and others.
Despite several calls and messages many of the police high-ups couldn’t be reached for their comments.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 15th, 2014.
COMMENTS (2)
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If you don't arrest people when ordered by the court what message does that send about the justice system in Pakistan?
The PTI and PAT goons creating anarchy on the constitution avenue, even frisking people and automobiles before 'allowing' them entry into the Secretariat are undoubtedly recorded on hundreds of security cameras and TV channels. Actions should start from them as they are the primary culprits. PTZi and PAT leaders, of course, remain the abettors and provocateurs.