DADU: An MNA-elect and a chairman of town committee belonging to the Pakistan Peoples Party were on Sunday booked and arrested in a case pertaining to an attack on a camp of the Pakistan Army in Mehar.

Irfan Zaffar Leghari, who according to unofficial results won the election on NA-227, and his uncle Qambar Leghari, who is the chairman of Sita Town Committee, were booked in an FIR registered at the Mehar police station.

PPP’s MPA-elect Fayyaz Butt and local leader Waqar Janwari were also taken into custody, but released later in the evening as they were not nominated in the case.

The FIR (50/2024) was lodged under Section 324 (attempted murder), 353 (Assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty), 148 (punishment for rioting), 34 (common intention) of the Pakistan Penal Code read with Sections 6/7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act against MNA-elect Irfan Leghari, his younger brother former MNA Imran Leghari, their uncle Qambar Leghari and 200 unknown armed persons..

The FIR stated that all the suspects attacked an army camp at the Mono Technical College Mehar, opened fire to “kill army officials” and escaped.

PPP lawmaker Irfan Leghari, brother Imran and 200 others booked in terrorism case

The Mehar police said that they were conducting raids to arrest all suspects nominated wanted in FIR.

Sources said that in the small hours of Saturday there was a tense situation outside the office of the Returning Officer-Mehar, located at the Mono Technical College where the army troops were also stationed.

PPP workers, upon getting reports of rigging in the RO office, reached there. Some of them started firing and tried to enter the premises.

PPP candidate Fayaz Butt, Irfan leghari and others also reached the scene along with their supporters.

Dadu District Returning Officer (DRO) Fayaz Hussain Rahojo told the media that some unscrupulous elements had spread rumours on social media regarding ballot boxes.

He rejected the rumours and said that all ballot boxes were found sealed when checked under his supervision.

Dadu SSP Shabbir Ahmed Sethar said that security arrangements had been intensified and more force was called.

According to PPP candidates, their supporters saw mask-wearing armed men on the roof of the RO office. The armed men opened fire on the PPP workers when tried to catch them, they added.

Published in Dawn, February 12th, 2024