PTI supporter ‘KILLED’ as police crackdown on a rally in Lahore

A Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf worker died on Wednesday when police and the PTI supporters clashed violently.

The deceased worker, Ali Bilal, was a Jahangir Town, Lahore resident.

 He was baton-charged violently, after which he was injured and succumbed to injuries.

Earlier, police arrested several PTI workers who turned up on Mall Road to participate in the rally the party claims to have been taking out in ‘favor of the judiciary’. 

Police also baton-charged the people after the PTI workers thronged Canal Road and set up a temporary bridge. The road leading to Zaman Park from The Mall was blocked with containers. 

The PTI had announced a pro-judiciary rally and called its workers to gather at chief Imran Khan’s Zaman Park residence.

Hours earlier, the Punjab government imposed Section 144 in the city for seven days, citing security concerns and warning the PTI workers against taking to the street. A heavy police contingent and water cannons have been moved near Zaman Park. 

The PTI released videos on its Twitter handle, showing that police are using water cannons and arresting workers on Canal Road. 

SECTION 144 

The imposition of Section 144 comes as the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is set to hold a demonstration in the Punjab capital to show solidarity with the judiciary following the Supreme Court’s verdict regarding the holding of elections in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Additional Chief Secretary Shakeel Ahmed has issued the order: “It has been observed that the number of rallies and protests are held daily at different places of District Lahore, which not only pose serious security threats but also disrupt traffic and cause inconvenience to public at large. There is also a history of terrorist activities in the rallies/ protests. Wherein several police officials and civilians embarrassed shahadat [martyrdom]”.

“Hence, in the context of the prevailing overall security situation in the wake of the recent wave of terrorism & latest threat alerts, it has been necessary to impose section 144 of Cr. P.C, 1898 on holding all kinds of Assemblies, Gatherings, Sits-in, and Rallies. Processions, Demonstrations, Jalsas, Dharnas, Protests, and other activities across the district Lahore to avert any untoward incident,” reads the order.

The additional chief secretary said the order should come immediately and remain in force for seven days.

The government wants “bloodshed” in the country: Hammad Azhar

PTI leader Hammad Azhar lambasted Punjab Interim Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi, saying he was ending democracy by refusing any political activity in the city even though the elections were scheduled for April 30.

Talking to the media outside Zaman Park, he said the caretaker government’s only responsibility was to conduct elections. Still, it created hindrances in the election campaign by banning rallies and political activity.

He alleged that the incumbent government wanted bloodshed in the city, and he directed party workers to remain peaceful and refrain from any clashes.

Taking to Twitter, he shared a picture of three PTI activists who had allegedly been arrested.

Earlier, the Home Department asked the PTI leaders in Lahore to take extra precautions during the party’s rally in Lahore, saying such public gatherings are “not advisable” due to security threats.

The department has also sent a letter to PTI leader Dr. Yasmin Rashid. “The leadership of PTI, including Chairman PTI, is also expected to address the general public/ participants at different places during a rally in Lahore today. It is also expected that a large number of people are likely to attend the said rally,” it said

The letter stated that public gatherings are not advisable due to the prevailing security situation in the country. “Furthermore, women’s march Is also going to be held In connection with International Women’s Day” which is likely to draw a large number of participants,” it said.

“Therefore, given aforementioned facts, It Is reiterated that the organizers of PTI rally should take extra precautions and cooperate with LEAs to thwart any untoward incident,” the letter said

Source: Dunya News