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Lahore: The Government of Pakistan has banned the organization of any rally. However, supporters of former Prime Minister Imran Khan gathered in large numbers outside the PTI chief’s residence, terming the ban as a hoax. In such a situation, the police fired tear gas shells and showered water to disperse these people. Khan-led Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party claimed that its “peaceful” activists were arrested. According to reports, Section 144 has been imposed in the provincial capital. The party termed the police action as “fascist” and an attempt to “pave the way” for the arrest of 70-year-old Khan.
Police teams deployed in large numbers placed containers and barriers on the way to Khan’s residence, blocking all entry points. The party said the police used water cannons, lobbed tear gas shells and lathi-charged PTI workers, including women. It said that the police made the protesting workers sit in a police van. The party claimed that the anti-riot police also vandalized the cars of PTI workers parked at Zaman Park and assaulted journalists who protested against the action.
The police had failed to arrest Khan due to protests by a large number of PTI workers. Khan (70) is accused of buying gifts received during his tenure as prime minister from Toshakhana at throwaway prices and selling them for profit. The police have registered at least 76 cases against PTI chief Khan since he was ousted from power in April last year. Addressing a press conference here, senior PTI leader Hammad Azhar said, “Police have arrested several PTI workers gathered at Zaman Park. Police beat up PTI workers and women.
Justifying the police action, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah said, “We had received a terrorist alert from the agencies. That’s why public meetings and rallies were banned in Punjab. At the same time, PTI leaders said that their rally was to be taken out for the “respect and dignity of the judiciary”.
