FIR lodged after protest at Ghalib market; Afridi promises street movement and Sunday meeting in Lahore
PTI protest. Photo: Express
LAHORE:
Police have registered a case against Pakistani Tehreek-e-Insaf workers after a protest in Ghalib market area of Lahore during the visit of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi.
The protest took place when Afridi arrived in the area. Protesters allegedly blocked roads and chanted anti-government slogans, police said.
Among those signed are Zain Khan Niazi, Jahanzaib Sohail, Ahmed Raza, Ali Rehman, Hassan Sajjad, Hafiz Shah, Muhammad Ihtisham, Aamir Naseer, Muhammad Wajid, Abdul Wakeel, Zakir Munir and Zameer Naseer.
According to the first information report filed at Ghalib Market Police Station on Saturday, between 20 and 30 unidentified suspects blocked the road, raised anti-government slogans and caused public nuisance.
Police said 13 people were arrested during the protest.
Sub-inspector Imran Ahmed filed the complaint under sections 290 and 291 of the Pakistan Penal Code. Article 290 refers to punishment for causing public nuisance, while Article 291 applies when such nuisance continues after a warning.
Police said investigations were ongoing and more details would be released.
The case was registered amid intense political tensions in Lahore, where Afridi is currently on a three-day visit.
Authorities imposed restrictions on gatherings in parts of the city to “maintain order,” officials said.
On Friday, Afridi was detained at a Punjab Police roadblock near Chakri, according to officials in his office.
Speaking at the scene, he criticized the barricades and said that “sealing off accommodation and food areas is a clear sign of fear.”
He said Punjab officials were “not elected representatives of the people” and accused them of trying to suppress political activity by blocking the movement of public representatives.
Read: Political tension grips Punjab Assembly amid KP CM’s visit
At a press conference in the Punjab Assembly on Friday, Afridi said nations collapse when rulers focus on intimidating their opponents instead of addressing real problems.
He said restrictions on meetings with jailed PTI founder Imran Khan exposed the government’s priorities at a time when people were facing insecurity, inflation and unemployment.
Earlier on Saturday, Afridi announced that the PTI would hold a public meeting at Minar-e-Pakistan at 6 pm on Sunday as part of its street movement.
On Friday, he spent the first day of his visit greeting and addressing PTI supporters who met him at different points on their way to Lahore.
On Saturday, Afridi visited the families of jailed PTI leaders whom he was not allowed to meet in Kot Lakhpat jail.
He met the families of Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Dr Yasmin Rashid and other party leaders.
Speaking later, Afridi rejected claims that the PTI no longer existed in Punjab and announced Sunday’s rally.
Without naming the party, he challenged the PML-N to compete on who could draw a bigger crowd in the other’s province.
“You can choose the terrain you prefer. Let’s see who will bring more people,” Afridi said.
He added that rival parties could hold their demonstration next week.
“I will also set the stage for them in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. If they cannot provide transportation to the people, I will also provide transportation to them,” he said.
“They can hold a jalsa in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and I will hold one in Lahore.”
Afridi said the imprisoned PTI leaders were in “unjust confinement” and remained a source of strength for the party.
He praised them for supporting Imran Khan despite health problems and what he called “all the oppression and fascism.”
