Azam Swati, Andleeb Abbas, Fauzia Kasuri among hundreds booked for obstruction of justice
Police sources reveal that a large number of arrested PTI workers are youngsters.
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – The Margalla Police Station on Saturday booked at least 158 PTI workers including Azam Swati, Andleeb Abbas, Fauzia Kasuri, Faraz Shibli, Roedad Khan, Nafeesa Khattak and Syed Raza for obstruction of justice, Dunya News reported.
As per the First Information Report (FIR) registered against the PTI workers, the nominated accused tried to free the arrested workers after stopping the prisoners van. The FIR also notes that the nominated workers also created strife at F8 Kachehri and that hundreds of workers caused damage to the government property.
The case has been registered under the Acts 188, 427, 353, 148 and 224. Those arrested under the said FIR will be presented before the Duty Magistrate tomorrow (Sunday).
At least 1000 PTI workers have been arrested and put into Adiala Jail so far which has left the prison incapacitated.
Police sources reveal that a large number of arrested workers are youngsters.
Terming the move as ‘pure fascism’, PTI spokesperson Shireen Mazari tweeted:
KP PTI President Azam Swati arrested simply because he came to bailout workers. Is in Margallah Thana. This is pure fascism by N govt.
— Shireen Mazari (@ShireenMazari1) September 13, 2014
Earlier, a local court in Islamabad ordered to send fifty PTI and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) workers to jail on 14-day judicial remand.
A large number of agitated PTI workers surrounded the police van and chanted anti-government slogans. PTI workers also deflated tyres of the police van to prevent it from moving forward.
Meanwhile, a heavy contingent of police personnel arrived at F-8 Kachehri to control the situation. Inspector General (IG) of Islamabad Police warned that protestors will be arrested if they do not leave the court premises.
He said that it is the police’s duty to disperse a crowd that violates Section 144 of the law. Moreover, the IG added that the police will not use force against protesters.
Meanwhile, police also took PTI leader Azam Swati and several other party workers into custody.
PTI spokesperson Shireen Mazari questioned that under what law the workers were taken into custody.
Magistrate orders all PTI arrested ppl be sent to jail! 4 what crime?Lawyers resisted & took all papers. ow waiting 4 judge 2 return 2 court
— Shireen Mazari (@ShireenMazari1) September 13, 2014
“The police are treating PTI workers like animals by tying them up with ropes,” PTI member Andleeb Abbasi said.
A police spokesman said that some arrests, including of Asif alias DJ Butt, were made for violating section 144. He said 17 gunmen of PAT have also been arrested for being involved in attack on Parliament House and PTV.
Protesters led by opposition leaders Imran Khan and Tahir ul-Qadri have been on the streets for a month trying to bring down the government of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
Talks suspended: Imran Khan says Nawaz Sharif s real dictatorial face is now exposed
Imran Khan said on Saturday that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s ‘dictatorial face’ is now exposed, claiming that former president Musharraf’s regime was better than Nawaz Sharif’s, Dunya News reported.
Addressing the ‘Azadi March’ participants, Imran Khan said that his determination not to leave until Prime Minister resigns has increased by a hundred degrees.
“Nawaz Sharif who wanted to become Amirul Momineen through 15th amendment is teaching us lessons of democracy”, he said.
“I renew my determination not to leave until PM resigns, there s no basis to resume talks now”
He added that “we won’t look up to police, courts or even army…we have to work together to make a ‘new Pakistan’”
“Is this your democracy Nawaz Sharif that you have thrown innocent young people in jail?” he asked.
PTI chief warned the Inspector General (IG) Islamabad Tahir Alam not to ill-behave with arrested protesters.
“Listen to me IG, Nawaz Sharif will leave and I ll throw you in jail”, he said.
