CHINIOT: Saqib Chadhar, an MPA-elect from PP-97, is facing the ire of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) workers, who were once his supporters but turned hostile after his switch to the PML-N.

His brother Muhammad Shoaib has approached the Bhowana police, saying the PTI workers set ablaze their posters and issued threats.

According to the application, PTI workers, including Liaqat, Aon Abbas, Muzammal, Shoaib, Ghulam Mustafa, and 12 unidentified people, targeted Mr Chadhar, who contested as an (PTI-backed) independent candidate but later aligned with the PML-N.

The suspects allegedly burned banners, engaged in character assassination on social media, and issued threats to Saqib and his brother’s lives.

Mr Shoaib sought the immediate registration of a case against the suspects and their arrest to prevent further disturbances in the area.

Mr Chadhar had been facing backlash from PTI workers following his association with PML-N, with workers vandalizing banners and panaflexes in local bazaars. The situation escalated when workers hung ‘Lotas’ along with one of Chadhar’s panaflexes.

Published in Dawn, February 14th, 2024