RAWALPINDI: Police continued its crackdown on local leaders and supporters of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) involved in blocking roads, violating section 144 and shouting slogans against the government on the eve of Imran Khan’s arrival in Islamabad Judicial Complex, and arrested 33 persons on Tuesday.

According to police sources, the 33 PTI local leaders and supporters were detained in connection with a criminal case and under section 3 of the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) ordinance.

Of the the PTI supporters, 13 individuals, including Chaudhry Farooq Azam and Hafiz Zahid, were sent to jail after being produced in the court of law on Tuesday.

The criminal case was registered with the Naseerabad police against 12 PTI leaders and 200 supporters, including former aviation minister, ex-Punjab law minister and former members of Punjab Assembly, on the charges of restraining public movement, violating section 144 and shouting slogans against the government while heading towards Islamabad Judicial Complex.

Police started raids after midnight and picked up 33 PTI supporters from different parts of the garrison city. As many as 25 of the PTI supporters were arrested from Rawal Division and eight from Potohar Division and sent to Adiala jail.

Those booked under the MPO were detained for 15 days while 13 others arrested in connection with the Naseerabad case were sent to jail on judicial remand.

JI leaders, 200 workers booked

The Hassanabdal police on Tuesday registered a case against Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) leadership including the district chief of Attock for organising a public meeting on Sunday.

According to the first investigation report (FIR) registered under section 147, 148, 341 of Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) and Punjab sound system regularisation act 2015 by Sub Inspector Mohammad Ijaz of the City police station Hassanabdal, JI candidate for NA-59 Iqbal Khan and candidate for PP-2 Awais Alsam Mirza along with 200 party supporters organised a workers’ meeting which was addressed by JI chief Sirajul Haq.

The case was registered against the party leaders for holding the public meeting without prior permission.

Talking to newsmen, party leader Awais Asam denied the allegation stating that the local administration was informed about the party meeting. He termed the registration of the case a political victimisation by the caretaker provincial government.

Published in Dawn, March 22nd, 2023