January 30, 2024
ISLAMABAD – Karachi police on Monday registered a case against PTI workers and leaders under terror charges for “resorting to vandalism” during what it called was an “unlawful assembly” at Teen Talwan in Clifton a day earlier.
On Sunday, dozens of PTI workers were arrested as they took out rallies and processions on the call of founder Imran Khan. The power show was the first major party gathering since May 9 — when violent protests erupted across the country following Imran’s arrest.
Over 20 PTI workers were arrested in Karachi yesterday after clashing with police at the Teen Talwar monument. According to the police, the party didn’t have an NOC to hold a rally in the so-called Red Zone.
Meanwhile, the PTI said it had “informed” the district administration about their gathering, adding that other parties were holding rallies on the sites of their choice, but they were being deprived of this constitutional right.
Today, South Deputy Inspector General of Police Syed Asad Raza said a case had been lodged against PTI workers on behalf of the state through police sub-inspector Rasheed Ahmed.
He said that 131 party workers had been instigating people for “violence” on social media for the last two days.
DIG Raza added that 66 PTI leaders, including Khurram Sher Zaman, Faheem Khan, Saeed Afridi, Dr Baracha and others instigated around 5,000 workers during the rally at Teen Talwar on Sunday, where 15 workers were arrested red-handed and booked.
“At around 3:30pm on Sunday, an illegal rally of the PTI challenged the writ of the state by vandalising public property, injuring and assaulting uniformed police personnel, resorting to aerial firing for spreading terror and raising slogans against the police,” he said.
“They (PTI) did not have any prior approval or No Objection Certificate for carrying out the said political rally for the Elections 2024 campaign at the said venue,” he added.
The DIG stated that almost four rallies were dispersed during the day but later around 5,000 people from all the districts of Karachi gathered at Teen Talwar.
“When the police asked them to clear the roads they resorted to violence and vandalism,” he said, adding that seven policemen sustained injuries during the clash. One of the cops, Boat Basin Station House Officer (SHO) Mohammed Riaz, was in “serious condition”.
Raza further stated that three official vehicles, including one of ASP Clifton, SHO Boat Basin and Zonal Intelligence Branch were vandalised by the violent mob.
“The mob also snatched polo sticks from Constable Faizan and snatched a box of shell gun ammunition from Constable Rashid Awan. The violent workers of the political party were threatening police officers with severe consequences,” he said.
The official added: “The leadership of PTI has engaged in hate speech since January 27, 2024, on social media, further the leadership of the political party indulged in hate speech against police on the ground on January 28 which enraged and encouraged the mob for vandalism and violence.”