MUZAFFARGARH/GUJRAT: Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) MNA Jamshed Ahmad Dasti, along with MPA Zahid Ismael Bhutta and his supporters—15 identified and 25 unidentified—were booked by police under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act 2016 and various sections of the Pakistan Penal Code, including 21, 353, 506B, 186, 188, 148, 149, and 16 MPO. A case was registered at the Civil Lines police station on the complaint of the police, and four people have been arrested so far.

According to the first information report (FIR), MNA Dasti, MPA Bhutta, Punjab Bar Council member Jam Yunis, Iqbal Pitafi and Shafiq Malana, along with their supporters, confronted the police while chanting slogans against the government.

The FIR alleges that they threatened to kill police personnel with batons and sticks, delivered provocative speeches and used derogatory language against the government, claiming they would turn Pakistan into Bangladesh.

Despite Section 144 being in place, Mr Dasti led a protest with his supporters, leading to a standoff with the police. As he left his native area with a rally, a heavy police contingent intervened, pushing him and his workers back and confining them to their homes. The police stated that further raids are being conducted to arrest the remaining suspects.

Shujaat Husain’s sister Sumaira Elahi also booked

Later, Mr Dasti’s supporters attempted to block roads, causing disruption to passersby. The government had already imposed Section 144 and the protest was deemed unlawful.

In addition to this case, MNA Dasti and his brothers and nephews were nominated in the FIR. Sources said PTI supporters had planned to protest in favour of PTI founder Imran Khan.

Meanwhile, PTI MPA from Layyah, Shoaib Ameer, was arrested by Chobara police but was released late on Saturday.

Separately, another case has been filed against Jamshed Dasti regarding allegations of concealing assets in his nomination papers and financial returns.

The Election Commission of Pakistan has issued him a notice for February 19, following a petition by Amir Akbar Sial, who alleged that Dasti did not disclose 194 kanals of land in his nomination documents. A related case is also under hearing in the Multan District Court.

Mr Dasti has denied allegations concerning a disputed claim over Apollo Textile Mills’ land. In a court statement, he disassociated himself from the claim and accused a close lawyer friend of colluding with his opponents. He further alleged that his signature on the claim was forged and demanded its dismissal. This claim has also become part of the petition filed by his political opponent, Mehr Amir Akbar Sial, in the Election Commission, alleging non-disclosure of over 194 kanals of land.

GUJRAT: Police have booked at least 30 PTI workers, including Sumaira Elahi Chohan, the party’s former ticket holder and sister of PML-Q chief Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, for violating the ban on gatherings under section 144.

Being led by Ms Elahi, scores of the PTI workers gathered at Shadiwal Chowk near Kunjah and staged a protest demonstration in response to party call for observing the balck day on Saturday.

The case has been lodged with the Kunjah police station under sections 188 of PPC and section 16 of Punjab Maintenance of Public Order Act 1960 on the report of a police official of Shadiwal police picket.

At least 18 PTI workers including Ms Elahi, former councillors Javed Iqbal Majra, Raja Tasaduq, Sajid Dilshad and others have been the nominated accused in the case whereas around 10 unidentified workers were also among the unidentified accused.

Police had already arrested at least eight PTI workers during a crackdown as other party workers managed to escape the arrest as soon as the police party reached the scene.

It is said in the case that Ms Elahi was delivering the speech when police reached the spot.

However, she along with some other female party workers could not be arrested.

Wasim Ashraf Butt from Gujrat also contributed to this report.

Published in Dawn, February 10th, 2025