PTI and TLP members booked for violating Section 144

The Preedy police have registered two cases against leaders and activists of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) for violating Section 144 during protests at Saddar Chowk and Regal Chowk.

The cases were filed following incidents of rioting, arson and other alleged offences, which led to the arrest of 30 individuals, including a TLP leader.

FIR No. 617/24 was registered on the complaint of Inspector Mahmood Ahmed of the Preedy police station under Section 188 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC).

The FIR quoted him as saying that he was on duty near Preedy Chowk with other officers when approximately 400 to 500 PTI members arrived for a protest rally at around 4pm on Friday.

The provincial government had imposed a ban on all types of protests, gatherings and rallies until October 19, along with the enforcement of Section 144.

The complainant named several PTI leaders, including Haleem Adil Sheikh, Raja Azhar, Firdous Shamim Naqvi and Fahim Khan, who were part of the protest. Police apprehended five suspects, identified as Suleman, Farhan, Ali, Abdul Wahid and Ali, during the chaos, while the others managed to escape.

The complainant said that the actions of both the arrested and the fleeing suspects constituted a violation of the PPC’s Section 188 (Disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant).

In a separate incident at Regal Chowk, the Preedy police registered FIR No. 618/24 under various sections, including sections 147, 148, 149, 186, 188, 353, 337-A(i) and 427, against leaders, officials and activists of the TLP. Sub-Inspector Muhammad Nazir said in his complaint that the government had banned all protests and gatherings.

Between 5pm and 7pm on Friday, approximately 300 to 400 TLP members armed with sticks allegedly attacked police officers and vehicles, resulting in injuries to several law enforcement personnel.

The police responded by using tear gas to control the situation and subsequently arrested TLP leader Muhammad Qasim Fakhri with 25 others. The arrested individuals named four suspects who had escaped during the commotion. The Preedy police have filed cases against the arrested and fleeing suspects, as well as against an additional 300 to 400 unidentified individuals. The investigation has been handed over to the investigation police for further inquiry.