ISLAMABAD: The capital police have booked PTI leaders Shoaib Shaheen, Sher Afzal Khan Marwat, Amir Masood Mughal and Ali Bukhari and 1,500 supporters under several charges including rioting, police said on Monday.

Cases were registered at Kohsar Police station under section 353 (Assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty), 186 (Obstructing public servant in discharge of public functions), 341 (Punishment for wrongful restraint), 147 (Punishment for rioting), 149 (Every member of unlawful assembly guilty of offence committed in prosecution of common object), and 188 (Disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant).

A police contingent was deployed at the NPC and Assistant Commissioner City was also there for security in regard with the PTI’s protest on Feb 17, the police said. The PTI leaders along with 1,500 supporters reached the National Press Club in a motorcade comprising 50 vehicles and 25 motorcycles, they added.

They chanted slogans and blocked both sides of the road, the police said, inconveniencing people and affecting traffic flow.

Police and officials of the capital administration warned protesters several times and asked them to refrain from creating law and order situation, they said, adding that however, they put up resistance to the police.

The AC City also informed them about the ban imposed on all procession and public gathering under an order issued on Jan 18 and the procession and rally of the PTI was illegal, they said, adding that however, the participants continued the protest and gathered in front of the NPC.

Later, they dispersed from the spot, the police added.

An official of the capital administration said that the PTI had submitted an application seeking permission for holding the protest from the Deputy Commissioner Islamabad, however, it was rejected. The permission was denied as the section 144 of CrPC was imposed in the capital by the District Administration, and there is complete ban on all protest and rally under any circumstances, he added.

At that time the district administration also warned the residents of the capital to avoid being part of any political gathering, the official said, adding that the administration also directed the capital police to take action against the people who participated in the protest.

Published in Dawn, February 20th, 2024