Senior leaders of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) including the party's Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan were arrested by Islamabad Police on Monday as part of an escalating crackdown on the party following a rally in the capital's Sangjani area.
Sher Afzal Marwat was detained while returning from a National Assembly session, and Shoaib Shaheen was apprehended from his residence.
Barrister Gohar Ali Khan was arrested outside the parliament was arrested in the coordinated operation.
In addition, Marwat's private security guard was taken into custody for allegedly resisting the police during the arrest.
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Authorities have sealed off Islamabad's Red Zone, sparking fears that more PTI leaders may be detained. Police officials have stated that the arrests are linked to an FIR filed after the Sangjani rally, held yesterday, which exceeded the time limits set by the authorities.
More arrests of key figures, including Umar Ayub and Zartaj Gul, are expected in the coming hours. Law enforcement officers cited a range of charges, including non-compliance with rally regulations, clashing with police personnel, and making anti-state speeches during the gathering.
PTI’s Ali Muhammad Khan and Aamir Dogar managed to leave Parliament House without incident, while other leaders, including Barrister Gauhar, Zain Qureshi, and Waqas Akram, returned to the National Assembly, seeking refuge from the ongoing crackdown.
PTI sources confirmed that Zartaj Gul narrowly avoided arrest, evading police by escaping in a vehicle. Police have confirmed they are actively pursuing her and other PTI leaders, such as Hammad Azhar, Naeem Haider Panjutha, Khalid Khursheed, and Kanwal Shauzab, who were also present at the rally.
The Islamabad Police informed Punjab authorities about actions against PTI leaders from the province who participated in the Sangjani event. Cases have been registered against several individuals, including Seemabia Tahir and Raja Basharat, at Noon and Sangjani police stations.
The FIR accuses PTI workers of attacking police teams with stones and batons when security forces attempted to prevent them from deviating from the approved rally route. In response, law enforcement used tear gas to disperse the crowd and arrested 17 PTI activists at the scene.
The arrests come under the newly-enacted Peaceful Assembly and Public Order Bill, 2024, which regulates public gatherings and demonstrations. Sher Afzal Marwat was reportedly arrested under this law, and police have indicated that further arrests of Punjab-based PTI leaders are imminent.
