LAHORE: Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) leader and potential MNA candidate Afzaal Azeem Pahat’s brother and son were arrested in May 9 related cases.

Mr Pahat had planned a public meeting in his constituency in Kahna on Oct 22, but the police had launched an overnight crackdown and apprehended about 80 party workers and supporters.

PTI senior vice-president for central Punjab Akmal Khan Bari strongly condemned the arrest of Mr Pahat’s brother and son, asserting that PTI would continue its battle against injustices and excesses committed by the caretaker Punjab government.

He alleged that the police, at the behest of the caretaker Punjab government, made arrests and demanded the immediate release of Mr Pahat’s brother and son.

Meanwhile, Mr Bari, who is also a PTI MNA candidate for NA-117, has applied to the district administration for permission to hold a public canvassing corner meeting in his constituency on Nov 12. The deputy commissioner has forwarded Mr Bari’s application to the DIG (operations) for his report and comments on the matter.

However, Mr Bari announced a news conference on Sunday, which was also cancelled “owing to certain pressures,” as stated by a PTI spokesman. PTI Central Punjab’s Jail Road office remains sealed since party’s central Punjab additional general secretary Sardar Azeemullah announced holding a news conference at the venue on Oct 27.

Various PTI leaders in the central Punjab region have also applied for permission to hold public meetings with their respective deputy commissioners, but none have been formally granted permission to hold a public meeting.

Published in Dawn, November 6th, 2023