ISLAMABAD: The capital police have registered 19 cases over the PTI’s three-day violent protest last week.

Inspector General of Police Syed Ali Rizvi at a news conference on Sunday had claimed that 10 FIRs – two each at Noon and Kohsar and one each at CTD, Sangjani, Tarnol, Aabpara, Sumbal and Industrial Area police stations had been registered.

However, according to police officers, four FIRs, one each at Sumbal (No 799), Noon (705), Kohsar (904) and Aabpara (No 1115) were registered on October 4; 11 FIRs at Noon (FIR No 706), Sangjani (754), Margalla (648), Aabpara (1116), Koral (844), Shahzad Town (1208), Industrial Area (1036), Golra (533), Secretariat (465), Karachi Company (1066), Kohsar (906) and Tarnol (838) on October 5 and four FIRs, three at Kohsar (907, 908 and 909), and one at Ramna (864) registered on October 6.

The police officers told Dawn that majority of the FIRs were registered on Monday and Tuesday on backdates of October 4, 5 and 6. The police also sealed some of the FIRs, including those registered at the Kohsar police station.

It may be recalled that in June 2019, judicial magistrate Rana Mujahid Rahim had directed the capital police not to seal any FIR, terming it against the fundamental rights of suspects as well as complainants.

At the news conference, the IGP also said the state and Islamabad police had promised to bring the murderers of a constable during the protest to justice.

But sources claimed that so far the murder charge had not been added to the FIR (No 706) registered at the Noon police station.

All the FIRs were registered against PTI founder Imran Khan. Majority of the FIRs stated that Mr Khan had been taking advantage of court orders that circumvented the jail manual and provided him extraordinary facilities by allowing him to communicate and meet visitors.

Imran Khan is continuously provoking his party workers against the state and state institutions. Besides, he also asked the PTI leaders to hold violent gatherings to create chaos and anarchy in the country.

These FIRs were registered under different sections of the Anti-Terrorism Act, Pakistan Penal Code and Peaceful Assembly and Public Order Act 2024.

The FIRs also said the protestors announced that Imran Khan and Ali Amin Gandapur had ordered them to reach D-Chowk and block it and disrupt government functions. According to some FIRs, Omer Ayub and Barrister Saif incited the protesters with their speeches.

Azam Swati provided financial assistance and the KP chief minister used the resources of the province.

Despite repeated attempts, IGP Syed Ali Rizvi and SSP operations Arsalan Shahzaib were not available for comments.

Published in Dawn, October 9th, 2024