BAHAWALPUR: The Channigoth police booked 50 activists and office-bearers of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI), including PTI South Punjab President Senator Aon Muhammad Bappi, for taking out a rally and damaging a police vehicle. Four of the nominated people have been arrested.

According to police sources in Bahawalpur, PTI activists blocked the Karachi-Peshawar-Lahore (KLP) highway near Tarinda Muhammad Panah. They raised slogans demanding the release of PTI founder Imran Khan and protested against the government. The demonstrators allegedly attacked a police team and engaged in violence. They parked their vehicles near Adda Mahand Sharif, blocking the KLP road.

Upon receiving information, a heavy contingent of police, along with a prison van, arrived at the scene. The demonstrators allegedly attacked the police party when officials attempted to disperse the rally, breaking the vehicle’s glass windows. Police claimed to have arrested Sabiul Hassan Naqvi, Gulbaz, Ehtesham, and Sardar Ahmed.

TRIBUNALS: The Bahawalpur bench of the Lahore High Court (LHC) election tribunal, headed by Justice Asim Hafeaz, has summoned 16 MPs from three districts of Bahawalpur division, plus district Lodhran, for the hearing of election petitions filed by their defeated candidates in the Feb 8 election.

The hearings are scheduled for June 25 and 26.

Those who have been summoned include former Chaudhry Tariq Bashir Cheema, Deputy Speaker of the Punjab Assembly Malik Zaheer Iqbal Channar, his father MNA Malik Muhammad Iqbal Channar, MPA Rana Tariq, and others.

Published in Dawn, June 25th, 2024