LAHORE: After the imposition of Section 144 in the provincial capital, a case was registered against senior leaders of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf, including Imran Khan, for “attacking police” and “using wrong language” against national security agencies in Lahore.
According to the First Information Report (FIR), filed by the Deputy Superintendent of Police Raiwind, a mob of at least 300-400 rioted in the city and used foul language against state institutions.
The FIR was registered today under Section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act and Sections 147, 149, 353, 186, 302, 324, 188, 427, 290, 291, and 109 of the Pakistan Penal Code.
The FIR further stated that the PTI workers abused the institutions on the instructions of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, Hasan Niazi, Hammad Azhar, Memudul Rashid, Farrukh Habib, Fawad Chaudhry and Ijaz Chaudhry.
It said that the violent mob pelted stones and attacked the police with wooden sticks during which 13 policemen were injured while 6 PTI workers were also injured in violence by their own party workers.
Clashes between PTI workers, police
On Wednesday, Punjab Police hurled teargas shells and lathi-charged supporters of Imran Khan, injuring several people from both sides.
The clashes broke out ahead of a planned rally in Lahore to launch Khan’s election campaign, but the government then imposed a seven-day ban on Section 144.
The former prime minister has been calling for snap polls since he was ousted in a no-confidence vote in parliament last year. His successor rejected the demand and said elections would be held later this year as scheduled.
Khan was shot and injured last year at one of his own political rallies.
Provincial Information Minister Aamir Mir said Wednesday’s rally was banned due to a threat to the law and order situation as there were International Women’s Day gatherings in the area, adding that supporters attacked the police. When they were ordered to disperse.
“In retaliation, the police used water cannons, tear gas and batons to disperse them,” Mir said. At least seven policemen were injured, he said. He further said that 12 PTI workers were arrested.
Shafqat Mehmood, an aide to Imran Khan, said several activists were injured in the clashes, which he described as “fascist tactics”.
Live TV footage showed police firing tear gas shells at several locations around Khan’s Lahore home, with some activists seen bleeding.
Khan, who has been embroiled in several court cases since his ouster, is due in court on March 13 to defend allegations that he misused his office from 2018 to 2022 to receive illegal government gifts. were sold
After the clash, PTI withdrew the rally.
