RAWALPINDI:In the wake of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) D-Chowk protests, a case of sedition and terrorism has been filed against PTI founding chairman Imran Khan and several senior party leaders and workers in Lahore and Rawalpindi.
Prominent leaders named in the First Information Report (FIR) include Hammad Azhar, Salman Akram Raja, Ghulam Mohiuddin, MPA Shehbaz, Musarrat Jamshed Cheema, Sheikh Imtiaz, Ali Imtiaz, and Shabbir Gujar, among others.
According to the FIR, Imran Khan has allegedly been provided with extraordinary privileges inside prison, allowing him to communicate with his party leaders.It is claimed that from jail, he incited these leaders to engage in violent actions against the state.
As a result, these leaders, along with PTI workers, raised anti-state slogans and engaged in vandalism.
One of the workers allegedly injured Constable Bilal during the chaos. Police arrested 16 workers on the spot, and further legal action against them is ongoing.
Additionally, several cases have been registered against PTI workers for violating Section 144 by holding protests in the city. The protests were prohibited under the emergency law, which was in effect at the time.
Separate cases were also registered at the Millat Park and Hanjarwal police stations against PTI workers. In Hanjarwal, an FIR was filed by ASI Aqeel against 20 workers, who were arrested the previous day for protesting in defiance of the restrictions.
Similarly, at Millat Park Police Station, Sub-Inspector Hafiz Imran lodged a case against 10 workers for violating Section 144. The crackdown against PTI workers continues as the authorities proceed with legal measures against those involved in the unrest.
Meanwhile, in Rawalpindi, charges have been pressed against more than 300 party members, including senior leadership, in connection with the ongoing protests at Islamabad’s D-Chowk.
The case, filed at the Naseerabad Police Station under the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) sections 7ATA, 21/1, and section 120B for criminal conspiracy, also includes charges of making inflammatory speeches (section 550) and aiding and abetting a crime (section 109).
According to the police, Imran and key Rawalpindi leaders have been named under Section 109 for aiding and abetting the crime. The case has been transferred to the Incharge Investigation for further inquiry.
So far, 16 protesters have been arrested during the operation, and batons have been recovered from them.
