ISLAMABAD: A day after the dramatic arrest of former prime minister Imran Khan, cases have been registered against more than 100 PTI workers at various police stations across the country including the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi, after they resorted to violence and vandalism.
Sources said that in Islamabad, cases have been registered against the PTI workers at Ramna, Khanna, Tarnol and Lohi Bher police stations following protests and vandalism after the arrest of Imran Khan.
Provisions for arson, damage to property and assault on police personnel have been inserted in the first information reports (FIR) registered against PTI workers, sources said.
A case was also registered at the Sadiqabad Saddar police station against two provincial assembly candidates and dozens of PTI workers.
The police claimed the protesters burnt tyres on the national highway, while over 20 workers were arrested during overnight raids.
In Lahore, police have started a hunt operation to identify the people involved in violent protests after the arrest of Imran Khan. During the protests, government and private properties were damaged in Lahore.
Cases have also been filed against PTI workers at the Iqbalabad and Sadiqabad police stations of Rahim Yar Khan for blocking the national highway.
In the Iqbalabad police station, a case was registered against 20 named and 95 unidentified people, including two women. The Sadiqabad Saddar police station case included 32 named and 80 unidentified workers.
In Peshawar, PTI workers took to the streets on Wednesday and reportedly set an ambulance parked at Assembly Chowk on fire.
The police force reportedly resorted to shelling to disperse the protesters.
Cases against violent PTI protesters have also been registered in Pattoki, Liaquatpur, Attock, Sialkot, and Hyderabad on arson charges, blocking roads and violence during Tuesday’s protests.
In Hyderabad, a case was registered against PTI leaders and workers at the Qasimabad police station for attempting to block the M-9 motorway during Tuesday’s protest.
The case was registered against 16 arrested people, including five women, on charges of interfering in official business, police claimed.
In Sialkot, a case was registered against 54 nominated and 300 unidentified people under terrorism and other provisions over arson and violence. PTI leader Usman Dar’s brother Umar Dar has also been nominated in the FIR.
In Pattoki, 23 people were nominated, and over 70 unidentified people were booked in the case.
In Liaquatpur, three cases have been filed against 95 suspects, including the local PTI leadership and workers, on charges of blocking roads, interference in official work and assault on police.
The case in Attock names more than 77 PTI workers, while 21 were arrested. Police claimed ten officials, including the DSP, were injured from stone pelting on GT Road.
The FIR claims PTI workers were armed and snatched tear gas guns from the police. The Peshawar, Islamabad National Highway remained blocked for seven hours, the FIR added.
The Sindh chief minister has said he’ll not allow anyone to take the law into their hands. The protesters will be held accountable for setting fire to two bowsers, a bus and a checkpost.
In a statement, the spokesman of the Sindh chief minister said Murad Ali Shah visited different areas of the city and reviewed the damaged situation.
The CM said if any miscreant resorts to violence, they will be dealt with strictly.
