ISLAMABAD: Police on Saturday detained more than 20 Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) workers, including three women, for allegedly creating a law and order situation and getting into a physical confrontation with the officials during a rally taken out by the party to express solidarity with the Supreme Court.

Police sources said 12 supporters, including three women, were arrested by the Saddar Zone police while over a dozen were detained by the Rural Zone police and kept at various police stations.

According to the police, they were ordered to remain lenient with the participants of the rally in order to avoid a confrontation with participants during the movement of the visiting Chinese delegation. Some of the participants, who violated Section 144 and blocked traffic, were subsequently detained after the Chinese delegation left.

At least 11 participants were arrested from outside Mehran Gate of F-9 Park, they said, adding that later nine men and three women were shifted to the Margalla and Women police stations, respectively. In Rural Zone, over a dozen participants were detained and moved to police stations.

JIT summons Imran to appear before it at Police Lines on May 10, 11th

They were being kept on the premises of police stations as the authorities concerned have not decided how to proceed against these protesters: to formally arrest them after registration of FIR or let them go with a warning.

There is a possibility that a case may register against those who were involved in a physical confrontation with the police, they added.

Earlier, the capital administration denied permission to PTI to hold the Public rally, the officers said, adding that the PTI took out the rally without permission.

The letter issued to PTI’s Islamabad President Ali Nawaz Awan said that it was observed that the visit of the foreign minister along with the delegation coincided with the proposed rally.

“Allowing the rally on this route will disrupt the security of the VIP movement.” It also mentioned that in the past, the PTI had not complied with the terms of the administration despite the submission of an affidavit, leading to a law and order situation.

Meanwhile, the police summoned PTI’s chief Imran Khan on May 10 and May 11 concerning four separate cases registered at the Counter Terrorism Department of Ramna and Golra police stations. Imran Khan was asked to appear before the JIT at 2pm at Police Lines Headquarters, Sector H-11, on both days. The said cases against Mr Khan were lodged in Feb and March.

He was asked to appear before the JIT for investigation, and bring evidence and witnesses in his favour, the police officials said, adding that legal action would be taken against him in case he failed to appear before the JIT.

‘Civil martial law’

PTI Islamabad President Ali Nawaz Awan lashed out at the government for not permitting the party to hold its rally in the federal capital and alleged that a ‘civil martial law’ was enforced in Pakistan.

Addressing a press conference along with PTI leader Babar Awan, the former MNA said that the rally had to start from Zero Point and culminate at F-9 Park.

Ali Awan claimed that they submitted an application to the district administration for permission but the admin refused to grant permission despite the judge’s order.

Speaking on the occasion, PTI leader Babar Awan said that his party would seek contempt of court action against the deputy commissioner for not allowing permission for the rally despite a high court order.

Babar Awan said that they were also going to file a petition to the Supreme Court against this “civil dictatorship”. The decision of the apex court regarding the Punjab polls on May 14 was in accordance with the Constitution, he said, suggesting that strict action should be taken against those who violated the Constitution. Similarly, he said that action should be taken against all those officials who were called and asked to release election funds by April 27.

While mentioning a joint investigation team formed to interrogate Imran Khan, Mr Awan said that the JIT asked ‘funny’ questions. He added that the questions were not prepared by the JIT team; hence the PTI did not accept the investigation team. The PTI would challenge its constitution, he added.

He sought the intervention of the Supreme Court, saying “citizens have been under siege in the federal capital because public gatherings and rallies” were not allowed in the capital for the last 13 months.

Separately, the PTI women’s wing in Wah also took out a rally in solidarity with the Supreme Court and Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial amid a standoff between the superior judiciary and the government. Addressing the rally, PTI leader Kalsoom Chaudhury said that the PTI was taking to the streets to express solidarity with the Constitution and Supreme Court. — Amjad Iqbal from Taxila also contributed to this report

Published in Dawn, May 7th, 2023