ISLAMABAD: On Thursday, an anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Islamabad granted a seven-day physical remand for Manzoor Pashteen, the leader of the Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement (PTM).
Pashteen had been arrested in Balochistan’s Chaman area on Monday, following a clash between his security guards and the police, during which gunfire erupted.
During the court hearing, Judge Abual Hasnat Zulqarnain approved the seven-day physical remand requested by law enforcement. Pashteen’s lawyer argued that organizing rallies was within his client’s rights and mentioned that Pashteen’s vehicle had come under fire in Balochistan.
The arrest took place when security personnel from the police, Levies, and the Frontier Corps (FC) were conducting routine checks. Armed individuals accompanying Pashteen reportedly refused to halt their vehicle and opened fire on the security forces. In response, the forces fired at the tires of Pashteen’s vehicle, which, along with the armed men, managed to escape the scene.
The PTM acknowledged the incident in a statement, confirming that Pashteen’s vehicle was fired upon near Chaman Press Club while he was traveling to Quetta after addressing a sit-in organized by the All Parties Tajir Mehnat Kash. According to a party spokesperson, eight bullets were discharged at Pashteen’s vehicle, resulting in the injury of a woman who is currently receiving medical treatment.
Following the incident, Pashteen and his entourage returned to Chaman and voluntarily surrendered to the authorities, as reported by the party spokesperson.
Balochistan Minister Claims Safe Handover Of PTM Leader Manzoor Pashteen To DI Khan Police
Meanwhile, Balochistan’s caretaker Minister for Information, Jan Achakzai, announced on Tuesday that the provincial government had safely delivered Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement (PTM) chief Manzoor Pashteen, arrested in Chaman the previous day, to the Dera Ismail Khan police.
Pashteen was apprehended by Levies and police over disputed claims of firing by his party and local police.
