MUZAFFARGARH: Layyah police have registered cases against Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) MNA Malik Awais Jhakkar, MPAs Osama Nazeer Gujjar, Sardar Shahabuddin Seharr and Shoaib Ameer Awan, along with 14 identified and 25 unidentified supporters, under various sections of the PPC including 506B, 427, 341, 188, 186, 353, 382, 148, 149, and 16-MPO.

The cases were registered at Kot Sultan and Chowk Azam police stations following a PTI rally supporting the release of former prime minister Imran Khan.

According to the Kot Sultan police FIR, protesters led by these lawmakers, allegedly blocked roads, attacked police constables, and snatched their equipment, including cash and helmets, while chanting slogans against the government policies.

Despite police efforts to intervene, the protesters reportedly threatened them with batons. Two constables, Imran and Mukhtiar, were injured during the incident.

The Chowk Azam police registered an FIR against 50 identified PTI protesters and dozens more unidentified, who participated in a rally led by MPA Awan.

According to the police statement, the protesters were armed with weapons and batons, and they attacked a police team, resulting in serious injuries. The injured officers were shifted to the hospital.

DPO Asadul Rehman said Section 144 was already in effect in Layyah district, imposed by Deputy Commissioner Amira Baidar. He condemned the attacks on police and vowed strong action against the perpetrators, ensuring their swift arrest.

PTI supporters, however, said the rallies were peaceful and aimed at expressing solidarity with their leader, Mr Khan. They alleged that police used excessive force, including baton charges and shelling, injuring several PTI supporters.

Meanwhile, in Muzaffargarh and Kot Addu districts, similar rallies in support of Imran Khan were reportedly peacefully controlled by the police.

Former PTI MNA Abdul Majeed Niazi, husband of MNA Amber Majeed Niazi, expressed concerns about potential police actions against their party in the future, highlighting injuries sustained by their workers.

He said despite support for PTI, Layyah district had not received any major projects or budget allocations for 2024-25.

RESCUED: The Muzaffargarh Sadar police rescued Qari Mushtaq, a mosque prayer leader, who was held captive for three months by kidnappers of the Sindh Katcha areas demanding a ransom of Rs5 million.

The kidnappers had chained Mushtaq and circulated videos of his torture on social media. Upon receiving instructions from District Police Officer Syed Hasnain Haider, Station House Officer (SHO) Zawar Hussain Rind traced the location of the kidnappers to the Katcha area in Sindh.

A police raid resulted in the safe rescue of Mohammad Mushtaq from the gang.

Also, Karamdad Qureshi SHO Abdul Rauf and his team, in collaboration with customs officials, conducted an operation against non-customs goods. They intercepted a vehicle following a tip-off, recovering 696 units of khaskhas.

The goods were promptly handed over to the customs authorities. This action reflects the authorities’ commitment to safeguarding public safety and property.

Published in Dawn, June 16th, 2024