ISLAMABAD: Top leaders of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), including Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Fawad Chaudhry and Asad Umar, were detained in Islamabad within 24 hours as the government launched nationwide protests against former Prime Minister Imran Khan. Later, the party was surrounded.
Qureshi was arrested on Thursday morning by the police under Section 3 of the Maintenance of Public Order (3MPO) after raiding Gilgit-Baltistan House in Islamabad.
Islamabad Police spokesperson confirmed that several PTI leaders including Qureshi, Umar, Fawad, Jamshed Iqbal Cheema, Falknaz Chitrali, Musrat Jamshed Cheema and Mallika Bukhari have been arrested.
The spokesperson said that all the arrests were made after fulfilling legal requirements and more arrests are expected.
It should be noted that the former foreign minister was arrested by the police in cases of riots and arson in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, police sources said. However, before his arrest, the PTI leader encouraged party workers to continue their struggle for real freedom in the country.
“As Pakistan’s foreign minister, I defended Pakistan’s interests at every forum. I have been in practical politics for 40 years,” he said.
Qureshi added that he has no remorse and has not made any inflammatory statement that could lead to prosecution. He was confident that the PTI movement would reach its destination.
The PTI leader – who was second in command to Khan – expressed his grief and shock at the recent violent protests that erupted in Islamabad following the arrest of party chairman Khan, killing around 50 people.
He said that sacrifices are required for a worthy cause and PTI and its workers will continue their struggle for this cause.
“All organizations, ticket holders, office holders are requested not to lose heart and stick to the fray,” he advised the party workers. “We have never taken the law into our own hands before, and we will never do so again.”
The PTI leader asserted that the allegation of the Corps Commander Lahore incident is a false allegation on him and Khan Sahib. He urged the party workers to remain calm and stick to their cause.
Earlier, when the police team reached his place, he recorded his statement and said that according to my information, the police have come to arrest me. I want to leave a message.
He emphasized that Tehreek-e-Insaaf is a real freedom movement and everyone has contributed to it. “Khan has given me this responsibility. I am trying to fulfill this responsibility, and I have shared it to the best of my ability.”
Qureshi asked the PTI workers to continue their struggle for real freedom. “Stand your marks in this great cause until the Khan is released,” he asserted.
Asad Umar, Fawad, Cheema arrested
On Wednesday, PTI’s top leadership including Secretary General Umar, former Governor Umar Sarfaraz Cheema and senior party vice president Fawad were arrested.
Senior PTI leader Asad Umar was arrested from Islamabad High Court premises.
According to reports, around 1000 PTI workers including Cheema and Fawad have been arrested.
The former information minister was arrested under MPO 16 after coming out of the Supreme Court premises, where he had been hiding for almost a whole day to evade arrest.
Nearly 1,400 PTI workers arrested in Punjab
According to the police, 1386 PTI workers have been arrested in Punjab for vandalism, violence and burning of public and private property.
The statement further said that during the protest, more than 145 police officers and personnel were injured across Punjab, while 69 vehicles used by the Punjab Police were vandalized and set on fire.
