ISLAMABAD: Authorities have registered multiple cases and made numerous arrests in connection with rallies organized by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), citing violations of Section 144, which prohibits public gatherings in the affected areas.
Key Incidents by Region
Arifwala
A case was filed at Saddar Police Station based on a complaint by SHO Ashiq Abid Mahar. Police stated that the case named 30 identified individuals and 60 unidentified persons for violating Section 144.
Sargodha
Police at Shahpur Station registered a case against over 200 people, including two MNAs and two MPAs, linked to PTI’s rally. More than a dozen PTI workers were arrested during the crackdown.
Lahore
Police intensified operations across the city, arresting prominent PTI figures and workers:
- PTI Punjab Information Secretary Hafiz Zeeshan and former MPA Nadeem Abbas were detained on Lytton Road.
- Twenty workers, including 12 women, were arrested at Batti Chowk and transferred to a prisoner van.
- Six workers were apprehended in Shahdara, while PTI candidate Zameer Ahmed Jhedu was arrested near the high court.
Faisalabad
Authorities arrested PTI-backed MPA Basharat Dogar and around 500 workers for stone-pelting and breaching Section 144 restrictions. After a low turnout, PTI leadership withdrew their protest call, and workers dispersed following clashes with police.
Pakpattan
Over 90 PTI workers were detained, including local leaders Umar Hashim, Talha Saeed, Tariq Shah, and Mehr Moin, for defying the assembly ban.
Jhelum
Police intercepted PTI MPA Riffat Zaidi’s convoy near GT Road, Sohawa, arresting 21 workers and seizing vehicles and flags. MPA Zaidi reportedly fled the scene.
Burewala
A crackdown in Circle Burewala resulted in the arrests of 65 PTI workers from various police stations, including Model Town, Gaggu Mandi, and Sahuka.
Safdarabad
Police arrested PTI MPA Waqas Mehmood Mann after raiding his dera. Eight additional workers, including PTI City President Mehr Mudassar Iqbal, were later detained.
Chichawatni
PTI MNA Rai Hassan Nawaz Khan was taken into custody by police at the Chichawatni bypass on the National Highway.
Multan
Protests led to the arrests of PTI leaders Malik Aamir Dogar, Zain Qureshi, and Moinuddin Riaz Qureshi, along with over 500 workers. Additional notable arrests included MPAs Nadeem Qureshi and Waseem Barozai.
Dera Ghazi Khan
Authorities detained 38 PTI workers, including former Punjab Assembly member Sardar Mohiuddin Khosa and his brother.
Arrest Figures
Police reported a total of 1,536 arrests across South Punjab for “disturbing peace.” Breakdown:
- Multan Division: 1,182 arrests
- Bahawalpur Division: 255 arrests
- Dera Ghazi Khan Division: 99 arrests
Authorities’ Position
“No one will be allowed to disturb the peace in the region,” law enforcement officials stated, emphasizing strict measures to maintain law and order amid the PTI-led protests.
