Scores of PTI MPs and workers arrested in nationwide crackdown on protests

Police and law enforcement agencies across Pakistan have launched a massive crackdown on Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) workers and leaders in response to protests called by the party.

The operations resulted in dozens of arrests as authorities took strict measures to maintain law and order, including in parliamentarians and MPAs.

Lahore:

PTI’s Punjab Information Secretary Hafiz Zeeshan and former MPA Nadeem Abbas were arrested from Lytton Road.

Additionally, 20 PTI workers, including 12 women workers, were arrested from Batti Chowk as part of the crackdown in the area and adjoining highways led by DIG operations. Police said action will be taken against those arrested for violating Article 144. Police transferred the arrested workers to a prisoner van. All people coming to Ravi Road were restricted to the streets.

Police also stopped a PTI convoy in Shahdara and arrested six workers. According to sources, PTI ticket holder Zameer Ahmed Jhedu was also arrested from Hajveri Tower near the high court.

Faisalabad:

According to sources, PTI-backed MPA Basharat Dogar was arrested from Sargodha Road. On the other hand, police said around 500 PTI workers were arrested for throwing stones at police and violating Section 144.

PTI local leadership withdrew the protest call later in the day after admitting that worker turnout was low. Unable to set off towards Islamabad, the workers dispersed after clashing with the police on Sargodha Road.

From Pakpat:

More than 90 PTI workers were arrested for violation of Section 144. Local leaders Umar Hashim, Talha Saeed, Tariq Shah and Mehr Moin were among those arrested.

:

Police cracked down on PTI MPA Riffat Zaidi’s convoy near GT Road in Sohawa, en route to the Islamabad sit-in, and arrested 21 workers. MPA Zaidi fled the scene, leaving his friends behind. Police also seized two coasters, five vehicles and several flags.

Burewala:

Police intensified their crackdown by arresting 65 PTI workers from various police stations in Circle Burewala. Those arrested include 15 from Model Town, 16 from Gaggu Mandi, eight from Saddar Town police station area, 10 from City police station area, nine from Sahuka and five from Sheikh Fazil.

Safdarabad:

PTI Member of Provincial Assembly (MPA) Waqas Mehmood Mann was arrested after the police raided his office.

Later, the police force surrounded the PTI rally on its way to the Islamabad protest and arrested eight workers, including PTI city president Mehr Mudassar Iqbal.

Chichavatni:

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf MNA Rai Hassan Nawaz Khan was arrested by the police on the National Highway at Chichawatni ring road.

Multan:

Protests in Islamabad led to the arrest of PTI leaders Malik Aamir Dogar, Zain Qureshi and Moinuddin Riaz Qureshi, as well as more than 500 workers. Other notable arrests include Rana Tufail and activists from Lal Haveli Kadirpur. Later, MPAs Nadeem Kureshi and Waseem Barozai were also arrested.

Dera Ghazi Khan:

Authorities arrested more than 38 PTI workers. Among those detained were former Punjab Assembly member Sardar Mohiuddin Khosa and his elder brother.

According to the police, 1,536 workers from all districts of southern Punjab were arrested on charges of disturbing the peace in the district. Of these, 1,182 people were arrested from Multan division, 255 from Bahawalpur and 99 from Dera Ghazi Khan division.

The police emphasized that “No one will be allowed to disturb the peace in the area.”

Sahiwal:

Ahead of the protests planned for November 24, police took action to prevent PTI workers from going to Islamabad and arrested 30 people.

Dunyapur:

Strict enforcement of Section 144 led to registration of cases against 38 people at City, Jalla Arain and Galewal police stations. All the accused were arrested and DSP Mian Abdul Rauf stressed zero tolerance towards violations.

-Gojra:

Raids on the homes of PTI workers resulted in the arrest of MPA Asad Zaman Cheema, Malik Adnan and Mian Asim, and many activists were reported to be in hiding.

Rawalpindi:

The city’s entry and exit points were closed with containers and more than 110 PTI employees were detained throughout the district. Special teams were formed to catch the active workers listed by the police.

Bhimbher:

All roads from Azad Kashmir to Punjab have been closed and huge barriers have been erected at all entry points. Security was put on high alert at all entry and exit routes. Police also arrested PTI district president Chaudhry Asif Mahmood.