ISLAMABAD/RAWALPINDI: The capital police have arrested more than two dozen supporters belonging to the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) after protests erupted in the federal capital in light of the possible arrest of Imran Khan from his residence in Lahore.

Meanwhile, four police officials, including the SHO of Khanna police station, were hospitalised after they received injuries in a clash with PTI supporters gathered at Islamabad Expressway. According to the police, legal action would be taken against these political workers who were rounded up from across the capital.

A team of the Islamabad police raided the residence of PTI leader Amir Mughal in Jhangi Syedan, the PTI leader said. He claimed that the police which entered his house without a warrant thrashed his family, including his four teenage sons and a nephew. He claimed that the police had also taken the teenagers into custody.

Pro-Imran protests erupt in twin cities

Protests in Islamabad

A number of PTI workers and supporters gathered at Athal Chowk and set tyres on fire and blocked the road, the police said, adding that a similar protest was also staged at Expressway Sohan.

Similarly, the PTI workers blocked Tarnol Chowk and chanted slogans against the government, warning that efforts to arrest the party chief will trigger countrywide protests.

After DIG Operations Syed Shehzad Nadeem Bukhari landed in a hospital following clashes between PTI supporters and police at Zaman Park, SP City Rana Tahir Hussain took charge of the contingent present in Lahore to execute arrest warrants.

A six-member team comprising Secretariat police station SHO and five officials reached Lahore for the execution of the warrant issued by Additional Session Judge Islamabad West Zafar Iqbal in connection with a case filed by the Election Commission. DIG Bukhari along with his squad also joined the team and took charge of the operation.

However, the DIG and five officials of the capital police sustained injuries when PTI activists gathered at Zaman Park pelted stones at the police team which arrived at the scene along with a heavy contingent of the Punjab police. Police officials said the DIG and his team members’ condition “deteriorated due to teargas” which were fired at the PTI workers.

The DIG Operations along with the five other officials was shifted to Services Hospital for medical assistance. Later SP City Rana Tahir Hussain reached Zaman Park Lahore and took charge of the capital police’s team, a police spokesperson said, adding that the team was in Lahore to execute the arrest warrants.

The non-bailable warrant issued by the additional district and session court addressed to the Secretariat SHO mentioned Mr Khan’s Banigala address. The document directed the SHO to arrest the accused and produce him before the court on March 18, 2023.

A police officer told Dawn that the Banigala address was mentioned in the warrant. However, the police reached Zaman Park for the execution of the warrant. In case, the police wanted to circumvent the court order, they would have taken advantage of technicalities e.g. the team would have gone to Banigala – the address mentioned on the warrant.

There are a number of instances when the police raided or served notices to the houses of the accused to execute the arrest warrant even though the police were well aware of the accused’s whereabouts. The police use such tactics when they want to provide relief to the accused. But when they want to act against the accused, they go after them irrespective of the residence address, the officer added.

Pindi protest

In Pindi, a handful of PTI supporters staged protests in different parts of the garrison city on Tuesday night. After the protesters pelted stones at police near Liaquat Bagh, the police responded with baton-charge and tear gas to disperse the PTI workers.

The police were already on high alert in light of clashes between the police and the PTI supporters in Lahore. The PTI supporters who were about 100 in number were led by former MNA Rashid Shafiq and former MPA Omer Tanveer Butt appeared at Committee Chowk and staged a protest.

However, they dispersed shortly after the police informed them not to block the road, otherwise, they would be detained. Later on, some PTI supporters appeared at Liaquat Bagh Chowk and Katcheri Chowk. They set old tyres on fire which caused disruption of traffic in the city. However, the PTI supporters dispersed after the police arrived.

As part of the tightened security, the police have started snap-checking at entry and exit points of the city, while the police officers were directed to remain in the field to deal with any situation. Besides the regular police, the anti-riot force was placed on high alert in case of protest they will be immediately dispatched to the relevant location. — Ikram Junaidi also contributed to this report

Published in Dawn, March 15th, 2023