Following the PTI’s power show on the outskirts of Islamabad on Sunday, law enforcement agencies conducted a crackdown on the party’s top leaders. By late Monday evening, at least three prominent PTI figures were confirmed to have been arrested: PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, fiery leader Sher Afzal Marwat, and Waziristan lawmaker Zubair Khan. Additionally, lawyer Shoaib Shaheen was also detained.
Barrister Gohar Ali Khan and Marwat were apprehended separately outside the Parliament House by a large number of personnel as they exited the assembly building after Monday’s session. Mr. Shaheen was taken into custody from his office in G-9 during what appeared to be a surprise raid. Despite attempts by his staff to resist, they were also detained by police and plainclothes officers.
Police have reported that at least three cases were filed against PTI supporters and leaders at Sangjani and Noon police stations following the rally on Sunday. One case involves violations of the NOC for the public gathering and disobedience to district magistrate orders, while another pertains to an attack on a police contingent by PTI supporters en route to the venue. The FIRs were initially sealed to prevent the leak of names, hindering attempts to obtain pre-arrest bail. Once the FIRs were de-sealed, a police contingent moved to the Parliament House to arrest PTI leaders, with a list of over a dozen names nominated in the FIRs.
PTI leaders Zain Qureshi, Zartaj Gul, Omer Ayub, Sheikh Waqas Akram, and Seemabia Tahir are also wanted, but some have taken refuge inside the Parliament House to avoid arrest. With many offices and rooms in the building locked, the leaders sought shelter in the Services Branch. Police have deployed multiple teams on Constitution Avenue and at exit points of the federal capital to apprehend the PTI leaders. They plan to round up those booked in the cases by Tuesday morning and are closely monitoring their residences and offices.
