In anticipation of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) rallies, the police have launched an ongoing crackdown against PTI workers and leaders across Punjab, with nearly 500 individuals, including provincial and national assembly members, already taken into custody.
The crackdown continues in various cities, with Islamabad police detaining over 300 PTI workers, while 85 individuals have been arrested in Dera Ghazi Khan. According to police, PTI Members of the Provincial Assembly (MPAs) Amir Dogar, Zain Qureshi, and Moin Riaz were arrested in Multan. Police stated that the three lawmakers were en route to Islamabad to participate in the protests and were detained under security concerns.
In addition, PTI Member of National Assembly (MNA) Riaz Hassan Nawaz was arrested in Chichawatni, along with former district Nazim Rana Mubashir and former Secretary Bar Rana Javed. The arrested workers have been transferred to Sahiwal’s Fateh Sheer Police Station.
Police also confirmed that PTI MPA Basharat Dogar was arrested on Sargodha Road, while in Faisalabad, 32 PTI workers, including MPA Dogar, were detained from two buses.
PTI leaders claim that the number of detained workers has reached 490 due to the ongoing crackdown and violations of Section 144, with more than 100 activists reported missing from several areas.
Hafiz Zeeshan, the Information Secretary for PTI Central Punjab, was arrested from Lahore’s Chouburji Chowk. Meanwhile, PTI workers staged a protest on Sargodha Road, and a rally heading towards the Kamal Pur Interchange on the motorway continued. The protestors were reportedly carrying sticks and stones.
Police are fully prepared to block PTI convoys at Hukla Bridge, with prisoner transport vans already stationed. In a confrontation in Tattlay Ali, near Gujranwala, PTI supporters clashed with police forces.
It is noteworthy that, in response to PTI’s planned protest, Islamabad police had conducted a combing operation the previous day, detaining 300 of the party’s workers.
Meanwhile, PTI convoys from Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have been heading towards Islamabad to join the protest, with the government setting up containers at various locations to prevent their progress.
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