Terror case filed against PTI workers for judicial complex riots

A terrorism case was filed on Sunday against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) workers for the chaos at the Islamabad judicial complex during Imran Khan’s appearance at the court for the Toshakhana case.

Charged PTI workers pelted stones at the authorities inside the premises of the judicial complex which resulted in injuries to several police personnel. They also broke the security barrier of the complex to enter its premises in a show of solidarity with Khan. 

The case, registered at the counter-terrorism department (CTD) police station, was filed under various sections of 10 crimes including terrorism against arrested PTI workers and wanted party leaders.

About 17 leaders including Ali Amin Gandapur, Murad Saeed, Aamir Mehmood Kiani, Asad Qaiser, Shibli Faraz, Asad Umar, Omar Ayub Khan, Ali Nawaz Awan, Hassaan Niazi were named in the first information report (FIR).

The FIR states that the workers damaged the police check post and the main gate of the judicial complex.

As many as 18 people were arrested for arson, pelting of stones and breaking the judicial complex's building, said the FIR.

"About two police vehicles and seven motorcycles were burned, and the official vehicle of the station house officer (SHO) was damaged," it added.

The FIR also said that pistols, Rs20,000 and anti-riot kits of about eight policemen were also stolen, adding that the police arrest 20 people for vandalism, and burning state-owned vehicles.

Meanwhile, about 19 people were detained for pelting stones, violence, and throwing Molotov cocktails at police.

Imran Khan came with hoards of people — who had wooden sticks and stones in their hands — from the opposite side of the road in violation of Section 144.

The situation on Sunday resulted in injuring 52 police and personnel of other assisting forces, said the police, adding that the PTI workers also damaged 12 Islamabad police vehicles.

Meanwhile, three police vehicles of the Punjab police and Frontier Corps (FC) were also damaged by agitated workers.

Moreover, the workers also set fire to four cars of the federal police which were completely burned, added the police.

Inspector-general (IG) of Islamabad issued orders seeking an estimated amount of the loss.