In-focus

Four die in Peshawar as violence, arrests go hand in hand across country

Four die in Peshawar as violence, arrests go hand in hand across country

Pakistan

Shadman police station in Lahore ransacked by protesters

LAHORE (Dunya News) – Four people died and 27 suffered injuries amid clashes between the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) police and protesters following the arrest of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan. 

Lady Reading Hospital spokesperson Muhammad Asim confirmed that four dead bodies had been brought to the hospital. "The injured have been shot in hands and legs, and they are being given emergency medical aid," he added.  

Violent protests continued on the second day in several cities across the country. The Islamabad police have arrested 109 PTI activists so far with Sindh police claiming the arrests of 270 people. The protests have been held in major cities such as Lahore, Islamabad, Rawalpindi and Quetta, with thousands of PTI workers taking part. 

Read Also: PTI leader Asad Umar arrested on IHC premises

Demonstrators have been demanding the release of Imran Khan and many have been carrying banners and placards denouncing the arrest. The protests have led to the imposition of Section 144 in many cities, which prohibits gatherings and political activities. This measure has been put in place to maintain law and order, according to the ministry of interior. 

Authorities have warned that legal action will be taken against those who violate Section 144. This includes the use of force if necessary, to disperse protesters who refuse to comply. As per reports, police are conducting raids to arrest PTI workers and supporters. 

In response, the army had been called in by the Punjab and KP governments to help the local administration and police in maintaining law and order. Later, army was summoned in Islamabad and Balochistan as well. 

The Punjab Home Department said the army had been called in under Article 245 of the constitution to assist the local administration. The army has been called in due to deteriorating law and order situtation in the country. A notification to the effect has been issued by the Home Department.

It said 10 companies of the army would be at Punjab government's disposal and they would initially be deployed in Lahore, Gujranwala, Rawalpindi and Multan.

Peshawar 

Four people died and 27 suffered wounds during clashes between the KP police and protesters, said Lady Reading Hospital spokesperson Muhammad Asim. "The dead had been hit by bullets and the injured are being provided medical assisstance," he added.

Eyewitnesses said all but one successfully evacuated the premises of Radio Pakistan office.

Police arrested at least 30 PTI protesters in the provincial capital. The protesters resorted to aeral firing in Peshawar and pelted police with stones.  

The situation remains tense in many parts of the country, with PTI workers vowing to continue their protests until Imran Khan is released. The arrest of the popular political leader has sparked outrage amongst his supporters who believe that he has been unfairly targeted. 

PTI workers on Tuesday started countrywide protests against the arrest of party chief Imran Khan on the premises of the Islamabad High Court. PTI Senior Vice President Fawad Chaudhry urged workers in a tweet to “come out of home” against the arrest of Imran Khan. He likened the arrest of Imran Khan to “arresting the judiciary” and wrote that the Islamabad High Court had been attacked. 

Islamabad and Rawalpindi

As per the latest reports, engraged PTI workers were blocking Srinagar Highway in Islamabad. Local administration dispacted FC and police pesonnel to quell the protest and clear the road. Metro Bus Service in Islamabad was suspeneded till further orders.

Murree Road was briefly opened for traffic but later law-enforcement agencies started blocking the road by laying the barbed wires and placing containers.

Lahore

In the latest development, a group of protesters allegedly attacked the Shadman police station and ransacked the property. Protesters smashed windowpanes of the room of SHO. They also broke glasses of four vehicles parked on the police station premises.

The roads behind Zaman Park are closed while Canal Road is still closed for traffic and baton-carrying workers are on the roads. Police and protesters clashed in front of Governor's House. Several PTI workers were arrested.

DIG Operation Ali Nasir suffered severe injuries during clash with protesters. People set on fire a Wasa vehicle in Zaman Park. Reports said police launched an operation in and Zaman Park.

Police lodged five cases in different divisions over ransacking government property, violence and violating law.

Karachi

PTI workers also held protest demonstration at Sharea Faisal on Wednesday. Heavy contingent of police and other law-enforcement agencies were deputed to avoid any untoward situation. Earlier, the Karachi police chief had said law enforcers would arrest the PTI workers who would hold demonstrations at Sharea Faisal. At least 250 people have been arrested in Karachi. Meanwhile, police sealed the road leading to Insaf House.

Authorities said Greenline and Orange Line bus services would remain suspended. 

Fawad Chaudhry had taken to Twitter to write that "Former PM Imran Khan has been abducted from Court premises, scores of lawyers and general people have been tortured, Imran Khan has been whisked away by unknown people to an unknown location, CJ Islamabad HIgh Court has ordered Secy interior and IG police to appear within 15 minutes".

In another tweet, he said Rangers had captured the Islamabad High Court. The personnel of paramilitary force tortured many lawyers, also

He re-tweeted a post that showed a lawyer receiving first aid.

Meanwhile, former minister Dr Yasmin Rashid, in her message, asked the party workers to reach Liberty Market in Lahore.

Police closed The Mall and Canal Road to traffic leading to Zaman Park where PTI workers have set tyres and other material on fire.

Our Correspondent in Islamabad reported that PTI workers gathered at Srinagar Highway and blocked the road. They raised slogans against the government and in favour of Imran Khan.

It is reported that police arrested around 20 PTI workers for protesting on Srinagar Highway in violation of Section 144. The Kashmir Highway has also been blocked by the PTI workers. They also reportedly pelted police with stones.

PTI Vice Chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi shared a video message on Twitter calling public to come out against Imran Khan's arrest. 

PTI leader Zartag Gul Wazir blocked a road in protest against the arrest of Imran Khan

Ms Wazir in a tweet shared the pictures of the protest and said that the protest is just starting. The nation stands with their leader Imran Khan, said Ms Wazir.

Police have been put on high alert in Peshawar where an emergency meeting was held with SSP Operations in the chair. PTI workers reached Hashtnagri Chowk in Peshawar and blocked the road. The workers also blocked the GT Road.

PTI Secretary General Asad Umar tweeted that a six-member committee, headed by PTI Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi, would determine the next course of action.

“Pakistan’s biggest political leader has been arrested,” Umar said. “The whole world is being shown that there is no law in the country.”

Meanwhile, Hammad Azhar called the workers out in his tweet as "the life of Imran Khan is in danger."

Shafqat Mahmood strongly condemned Imran’s arrest in his tweet, alleging that the PTI chief was also “manhandled and mistreated”.

“This is height of fascism and totally unacceptable. Rule of law in the country is over,” he said.

Azhar Mashwani alleged that Imran had been “abducted” from inside the court by Rangers. He said that the party had given an immediate call for staging protests in the country.

 

 

 

 

 

Related Topics
PTI
Imran Khan
Pakistan



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