Imran, others booked for sedition, terror

LAHORE/RAWALPINDI: A case has been registered against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan and 200 workers, including senior PTI leaders, in connection with the recent protest in Lahore and Rawalpindi.

The FIR was lodged at the Islampura Police Station under multiple charges, including sedition against the state, terrorism and attempted murder.

The FIR names PTI leaders Hammad Azhar, Salman Akram Raja, Ghulam Mohiuddin, MPA Shehbaz, Musrat Jamshed Cheema, Sheikh Imtiaz, Ali Imtiaz, Shabbir Gujjar and others, accusing them of inciting violence during the protest. According to the FIR, Imran Khan allegedly directed party leaders to instigate violence from within jail, leading to anti-state slogans and acts of vandalism by the workers.

During the unrest, constable Bilal was injured, and police detained 16 protesters at the scene.

Additionally, several cases have been registered across Lahore against the PTI workers for violating Section 144, which prohibits public gatherings. Separate FIRs were lodged at Millat Park and Hanjarwal police stations. In Hanjarwal, a case was filed on the complaint of ASI Aqeel, resulting in the arrest of five protesters. At Millat Park Police Station, Sub-Inspector Hafiz Imran filed a complaint, leading to a case against 10 workers for similar violations.

Meanwhile, authorities reopened all entry and exit points in Lahore late last night. The Lahore Eastern Bypass, Babu Sabu, Thokar Niaz Baig, Shahdara, Saggian, and Motorway M-2 up to Sheikhupura have also been opened for traffic.

On Saturday, hundreds of containers were placed across various parts of Lahore, including at all major entry and exit points, in an effort to prevent the PTI’s planned protest. Police also sealed off all roads leading to the Sharif family’s residence in Jati Umra, Raiwind. The government further intensified security by deploying Rangers across the city. A curfew-like atmosphere was observed around Minar-e-Pakistan, the planned protest venue, which has been indefinitely closed to the public. Despite the heavy security presence, several PTI workers and lawyers managed to reach the site late Saturday night, where they chanted slogans in support of their imprisoned leader. Police later arrested the protesters. In Rawalpindi, according to Geo News, police registered a case against Imran Khan and 200 300 PTI leaders and activists under 13 provisions of the Pakistan Penal Code and Anti-Terrorism Act.According to the FIR, the suspects at the behest of the PTI founder chanted slogans against the state and security institutions, damaged public property, violated Section 144 and interfered in government affairs.