ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad police have arrested several key leaders of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) for violating standard operating procedures (SOPs) during a rally in the Sangjani area of the capital and failing to adhere to the allocated deadline to end the event.
The police action occurred late Monday night and led to the arrest of prominent figures such as PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar, Sher Afzal Marwat, Shoaib Shaheen, Zain Qureshi, Sheikh Waqas Akram, and 12 other PTI members.
Marwat was detained while returning from a National Assembly session, and Shoaib Shaheen was apprehended at his residence. Barrister Gohar Ali Khan was arrested outside the Parliament House in a coordinated operation. Additionally, Marwat’s private security guard was taken into custody for allegedly resisting the police during the arrest. The arrests were carried out at the gate of the Parliament House and inside it.
Among those arrested were PTI MNA Maulana Naseem Shah, Aamir Dogar, Owais, Ahmad Chattha, Syed Shah Ahad, and Yousuf Khan. Another MNA, Zubair Khan, who represents South Waziristan, was also taken into custody shortly after exiting the Parliament House.
Authorities had sealed off Islamabad’s Red Zone, sparking fears that more PTI leaders might be detained. Police officials stated that the arrests were related to an FIR filed after the Sangjani rally. Further arrests of key figures, including Omar Ayub and Zartaj Gul, were anticipated.
Law enforcement officers cited a range of charges, including non-compliance with rally regulations, clashing with police personnel, and making anti-state speeches during the gathering.
Later, police stated that all detained members were transferred to the Secretariat Police Station. The Islamabad police have announced that the arrested leaders will be produced in court today for remand.
On the other hand, PTI senior leader Salman Akram Raja criticized the manner in which the arrests were made, claiming it violated the sanctity of parliament. “Barrister Gohar did not turn himself in, but was arrested,” he stressed.
He emphasized that the people of Pakistan would not forget this incident and that the PTI remains committed to democratic values.
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