'May 9 protest call': Usman Dar's mother briefly arrested in Sialkot

ISLAMABAD/SIALKOT: The Punjab police on Monday briefly arrested Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Rehana Dar, mother of Usman Dar, in Sialkot as the Imran Khan-founded party is staging protest rallies to mark the May 9 anniversary.

Confirming the report of his mother’s brief detention, Umar alleged that the police took his mother and other PTI women supporters on the "directives of Defence Minister Khawaja Asif"

“My mother gave a protest call for May 9,” Umar said, adding that the police had surrounded Jinnah House in Sialkot since morning.

The police, however, denied the reports of Rehana's arrest. DPO Hassan Iqbal said: “Rehana Dar and Ruba Dar were not arrested. Both women leaders are at their home.”

This is not the first time that the Dar family hurled allegations at the defence minister. In December last year, Rehana claimed the Punjab police, on the behest of Asif, tortured and manhandled her at her residence in Sialkot.

She had alleged: "They [police] raided my house on Khawaja Asif's orders. They tore my clothes, manhandled me, all to prevent me from participating in the [February 8 general] elections".

'I was treated like a terrorist'

Talking to journalists about the incident, Rehana said that she was treated like a terrorist when she came out of her home.

She was heading to attend a ceremony scheduled to be held at the Jinnah House, in connection with the killings of the PTI workers on May 9.

“Who were those who attacked my house? I seek an answer.”

The PTI leader said that she "is not afraid of detention".

Rallies held in solidarity with PTI founder in various cities

PTI workers and supporters held rallies in solidarity with the party’s incarcerated founder in various cities to mark a year since the arrest of Imran.

In Muzaffarabad, the PTI supporters staged a demonstration at Azadi Chowk seeking the release of the former prime minister — who was removed from power via a parliamentary vote in April 2022.

The police, however, arrested several workers of the former ruling party for violating Section 144 of the constitution. PTI Muzaffarabad chapter President Azhar Gilani was also arrested.

The supporters of the former ruling party also held a rally in Kotli District of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and demanded the release of the PTI founder.

In Karachi, the PTI workers tried to record their protest in Pir Ilahi Buksh Colony (PIB Colony) but the police dispersed the gathering and arrested six activists, including PTI local leader Jamal Siddique.

The May 9 violence was triggered almost across the country after the deposed prime minister Imran Khan’s arrest in the £190 million settlement case last year. Hundreds of PTI workers and leaders were put behind bars for their alleged involvement in violence and attacks on military installations.

During the protests, the miscreants targeted the civil and military installations including — Jinnah House and the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi. The military had termed May 9 “Black Day” and decided to try the protesters under the Army Act.

With the government deciding to observe the day (May 9) in solidarity with martyrs and their families, the PTI planned to organise rallies across the country to express solidarity with its incarcerated founder.