FIR filed after protest at Ghalib market; Afridi promises street movement and Sunday rally in Lahore
PTI demonstration. Photo: Express
LAHORE:
Police registered a case against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf workers after a protest in Ghalib market area of Lahore during the visit of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi.
The protest took place upon Afridi’s arrival in the area. Protesters reportedly blocked roads and chanted anti-government slogans, police said.
Among those booked are Zain Khan Niazi, Jahanzaib Sohail, Ahmed Raza, Ali Rehman, Hassan Sajjad, Hafiz Shah, Muhammad Ihtisham, Aamir Naseer, Muhammad Wajid, Abdul Wakeel, Zakir Munir and Zameer Naseer.
According to the first information report filed at the Ghalib market police station on Saturday, 20 to 30 unidentified suspects blocked the road, raised slogans against the government and caused inconvenience to the public.
Police said 13 people were arrested during the protest.
Sub-inspector Imran Ahmed filed a case under sections 290 and 291 of the Pakistan Penal Code. Section 290 deals with penalties for public nuisance, while section 291 applies where such nuisance continues after a warning.
Police said an investigation was ongoing and further details would follow.
The case was registered against the backdrop of heightened political tensions in Lahore, where Afridi is currently on a three-day visit.
Authorities imposed restrictions on gatherings in some parts of the city to “maintain order,” officials said.
On Friday, Afridi was arrested in front of a Punjab Police barricade near Chakri, according to officials at his office.
Speaking at the scene, he criticized the barricades and said “closing accommodation and dining areas is a clear sign of fear.”
He said Punjab officials were “not elected representatives of the people” and accused them of trying to suppress political activity by blocking the movement of public representatives.
Read: Political tension grips Punjab Assembly amid KP CM’s visit
Addressing a press conference at the Punjab Assembly on Friday, Afridi said nations collapse when leaders focus on intimidating opponents instead of tackling the real issues.
He said restrictions on meetings with imprisoned PTI founder Imran Khan exposed the government’s priorities at a time when people were facing insecurity, inflation and unemployment.
Earlier on Saturday, Afridi announced that the PTI would hold a public rally at Minar-e-Pakistan at 6 p.m. on Sunday as part of its street movement.
On Friday, he spent the first day of his visit greeting and addressing PTI supporters who met him at different points on his way to Lahore.
On Saturday, Afridi visited the families of jailed PTI leaders whom he was not allowed to meet at Kot Lakhpat jail.
He met the families of Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Dr Yasmin Rashid and other party leaders.
Speaking later, Afridi rejected claims that the PTI no longer existed in Punjab and announced Sunday’s rally.
Without naming the party, he challenged the PML-N to compete over who could attract a bigger crowd in the other’s province.
“They can choose any pitch they want. Let’s see who brings the most people,” Afridi said.
He added that the rival parties could hold their rally next week.
“I will also prepare the stage for them in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. If they cannot provide transportation to people, I will also provide transportation to them,” he said.
“They can organize a jalsa in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and I will organize one in Lahore.”
Afridi said the jailed PTI leaders were in “wrongful detention” and remained a source of strength for the party.
He praised them for standing by Imran Khan despite health problems and what he called “all the oppression and fascism”.
