Inquiry ordered into police action against PTI rally

A sessions court has directed the senior superintendent of the police (SSP) of District East to conduct an inquiry into allegations of police highhandedness against participants of a PTI Independence Day rally.

Advocate Zahoor Mahsood filed an application under Section 22-A and 22-B of the criminal procedure code seeking registration of an FIR against proposed accused — New Town SHO Shamshad Chachar, Aziz Bhatti SHO Shehzad, Bahadurabad SHO Muhammad Naeem and 15-16 other police officials.

The applicant alleged that on August 13, 2024, he along with other PTI activists took out a rally in connection with Independence Day when the police all of a sudden intercepted them near Char Minar Chowrangi. The personnel baton-charged and detained the workers, including the applicant.

He said the proposed accused misused their powers by abusing and maltreating the workers. He requested the judge to order registration of an FIR against the police officials. In response to the notice, the police submitted a report denying the allegations levelled against them. After hearing both sides, the judge ordered the SSP to personally conduct an inquiry into the matter and provide police protection to the applicant.