Leaders Arrested After PTI Rally Disruptions
The capital police have registered cases against 28 PTI leaders and are targeting additional arrests, including those from PTI Punjab. Sher Afzal Marwat, the first leader arrested outside Parliament House, was soon followed by Shoaib Shaheen and PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan from other areas.
PTI Chairman Gohar Ali Khan, however, attempted to calm tensions by offering an “unconditional apology” after Ali Amin Gandapur made inflammatory remarks against journalists. Speaking to Geo News, Gohar said he had not heard the audio clip of Gandapur’s speech but apologized after learning about it. He added that Gandapur had apologized during their conversation.
The remarks, according to Gohar, were directed at “one or two journalists,” not the entire media community. Nevertheless, the chief minister publicly apologized for his statements.
Gohar expressed respect for the journalist community, highlighting that the media had often supported PTI. He also clarified that the party’s “two-week deadline” for the release of Imran Khan was not meant to incite confrontation, but rather, he pinned hopes on the courts for relief in the cases against the former prime minister.
In a separate development, raids continue for the arrest of key figures, including Opposition Leader Omar Ayub Khan, Hammad Azhar, Kanwal Shauzab, Naeem Haider Panjotha, Amir Mughal, Khalid Khursheed, and Zartaj Gul Wazir.
Security has been ramped up in the federal capital with heavy police deployment outside Parliament and roadblocks at all major entry points into the Red Zone.
Sher Afzal Marwat resisted his arrest, demanding to see a warrant, while PTI MNA Ali Muhammad Khan was spared from detention as he left the Parliament House. Meanwhile, Defense Minister Khwaja Asif took to social media, mocking Gandapur for previously boasting of leading a “lashkar” to free Imran Khan, but now hiding from arrest.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur’s inflammatory remarks against journalists, particularly targeting women, have sparked widespread condemnation from various sectors, including federal ministers, senators, and media organizations.
Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar slammed Gandapur’s comments, calling them baseless threats and challenging him to address his province’s rising militancy instead of making divisive remarks. Tarar also defended Punjab CM Maryam Nawaz, who was targeted during Gandapur’s speech.
Senators Sherry Rehman and Talal Chaudhry also condemned Gandapur’s remarks, accusing PTI of resorting to violence and intimidation tactics. Chaudhry vowed to send Gandapur to jail for instigating clashes between PTI supporters and police.
Media bodies, including the All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS) and the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), strongly denounced Gandapur’s remarks, with the APNS demanding PTI disassociate itself from such statements. Similarly, the Association of Electronic Media Editors and News Directors (AEMEND) called for an apology from Gandapur for his inappropriate language and threats against journalists.
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) also voiced concerns, emphasizing the importance of respecting freedom of expression in a democracy.
As tensions rise following the rally, many are calling for accountability, not just for Gandapur’s inflammatory rhetoric, but for the growing trend of violence and disrespect in the political discourse of the country.
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