SWAT: A case was registered at the Saidu Sharif police station on Monday against two Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) MNAs, four MPAs and dozens of workers on various charges.

The FIR said that on Sept 28, PTI leaders and more than 150 workers held a rally on the Mingora-Murghazar Road, blocking it to traffic.

It named Dr Amjad, MNA, Sohail Sultan, MNA, Fazal Hakeem, MPA, Ali Shah, MPA, Akhtar Khan, MPA, Hameedur Rehman, MPA, Haider Ali and Imran alias Swat Khan, along with around 150 unidentified workers.

The FIR said that the nominated leaders and workers made provocative, threatening and controversial speeches against the federal government and state institutions.

Many leaders, activists have already gone into hiding

In Swabi, the police arrested around 140 PTI workers who had gathered for a protest on Monday, while mobile and internet services remained suspended across the district due to security concerns, causing difficulties for residents.

Police officials said that PTI workers had gathered at Ismailia Interchange and Razaar Sports Complex where police arrested about 140 of them. Security arrangements were tightened across the district to deal with any eventuality.

Police personnel were deployed at various places, including Karnal Sher Khan Chowk in the district headquarters, Topi tehsil, Swabi Interchange and Shewa Adda area of Razaar tehsil, while shipping containers were placed at Swabi Interchange, Jahangira Bridge and the Indus River bridge on the M-1 Motorway.

Police sources said that raids were conducted at various places in the surrounding areas. However, no arrests were made.

They said PTI leaders had directed workers to gather at Razaar Sports Complex, prompting police mobilisation. Police personnel remained alert to deal with any eventuality.

Due to the shutdown of mobile service and the internet, residents, including journalists, faced problems.

In Chitral, the police arrested five PTI leaders in Lower Chitral for trying to assemble party workers for a protest against the imposition of emergency and governor’s rule in the province. They included Shahid Ahmad, Sultan Mohammad Sher, Shafiur Rehman, Aminur Rehman and Khwaja Shakeel, who were booked under sections 34 and 188 of the Pakistan Penal Code.

In Abbottabad, the police arrested several PTI workers in a crackdown, while raids were conducted at the residences of party leaders across the district.

Former provincial assembly speaker and MPA Mushtaq Ahmad Ghani, who was said to be unwell, was placed under house arrest.

Police raided the residence of Taj Mohammad Khan Tarand in Abbottabad but could not find him there.

Also, PTI leader Tahir Mughal and three workers were arrested from Sherwan village.

In Battagram, the police arrested several PTI leaders and workers, including Battagram president Niaz Mohammad Khan, Hayat Khan, Ghulamullah Torkhail, Sajjad, Fazal Karim, Asmatullah, Khalid Khan and Gul Badshah.

The police raided the residences of PTI MNA Nawaz Khan and MPA Engineer Zubair Khan but couldn’t make any arrests.

In Shangla, the police raided the houses of PTI leaders, including MPA Abdul Munim, in their respective villages, party leaders claimed.

Meanwhile, the Haripur police conducted raids to arrest PTI leaders and workers but couldn’t make any arrests, as the leaders and workers went underground a couple of days ago after sensing the danger.

Life remained normal in Lower and Upper Dir on Monday, with markets being open and traffic flowing as usual.

Public and private universities, colleges and higher secondary schools remained closed in accordance with the government’s directives.

No protests against the imposition of emergency or in support of the PTI were reported in any part of Lower Dir.

Deputy Commissioner Basharat Ahmad had banned public gatherings and processions in the district.

In social media posts, lawmakers Malik Shafiullah Khan, Humayun Khan and Ubaidur Rehman reported police raids on their houses. However, they were not arrested. MPA Azam Khan, elected from PK-14, was arrested before the imposition of emergency.

Security was also put on high alert in Mohmand tribal district as the police raided the houses of MNA Sajid Khan Mohmand and other PTI leaders.

Police said that Sajid Khan Mohmand was not at home at the time of the raid.

In Charsadda, the police raided the hujra of PTI district president and MPA Arshad Khan Umarzai and arrested five people, including three of his personal guards. The MPA was not home during the raid. The total number of PTI workers arrested in the district reached 15.

Published in Dawn, October 13th, 2026