ISLAMABAD: The capital police arrested over a dozen Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) workers and activists from outside the National Press Club for staging a public gathering in support of Palestine on Friday.

The police said the arrests were made over violation of Section 144 of the CrPC that had been imposed in the capital under which a gathering of five or more people was banned. The police further claimed that the PTI activists had gathered without taking permission from the capital administration.

Earlier, the PTI general secretary Islamabad region, had sought permission from the capital administration two day ago to organise a peaceful gathering in support of Palestinians, but it was not granted.

A few dozen women had gathered outside the National Press Club to show solidarity with the Palestinians. After sometime a group of men, including lawyers, also reached there and joined the gathering. However, the male participants started displaying portraits of PTI Chairman Imran Khan. In response the police deployed there rounded up over a dozen participants, bundled them in vehicles and shifted them to police station.

They were detained at the police station but so far a case has yet not been registered against them, police said, adding that directives were awaited from senior officers in this regard.

In a statement, PTI Deputy Secretary Amir Mughal condemned the arrest of party workers from Islamabad and Lahore.

Published in Dawn, October 14th, 2023