Punjab police conduct raids ahead of JI sit-in

ISLAMABAD: In preparation for Jamaat-e-Islami’s (JI) planned sit-in at Islamabad’s D-Chowk, Punjab Police ramped up operations across the province.

Authorities conducted multiple raids and arrested several party leaders and activists in a bid to preempt the demonstration.

Read more: Islamabad gears up for JI sit-in on D-Chowk

The leader of Jamaat-e-Islami Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman called for a sit-in on Friday (today) to protest against rising electricity tariffs and allegations of over-billing.

In response, the Islamabad police implemented strict security measures, including sealing off key areas with containers and enforcing section 144. The law prohibits public assemblies and processions in Islamabad and throughout Punjab.

The police raids targeted several key figures within JI. Authorities conducted a raid at the residence of Ameer ul Azim, the Central Secretary General of the party. Although Azim was not arrested, his driver was taken into custody.

Azim condemned these actions, describing them as an infringement on democratic rights. He also denounced the law enforcers for their alleged mistreatment of women and other forms of police brutality.

Police operations in Attock resulted in the arrest of seven JI leaders. Similar raids were conducted in Kharian Cantt, Bahawalpur, and other areas, leading to the detention of key officials, including Hafiz Ajmal and Mian Usman Rafi.

The Lahore police also conducted searches at the homes of various Jamaat-e-Islami officials, including Lahore ameer Ziauddin Ansari, Lodhran district ameer Tahir Chaudhry, Taxila’s Awais Aslam Mirza, and Hasan Abdal’s ameer Noor-ul-Amin.

When Noor-ul-Amin could not be located, the police reportedly detained his young son, Umar Sahibzada, instead.

Read more: Section 144 imposed across Punjab, Islamabad ahead of PTI’s protest

The Jamaat-e-Islami spokesperson criticised the actions of the police, labeling them as unconstitutional and a direct assault on the party’s right to peaceful protest. The spokesperson stated that the planned sit-in in Islamabad will proceed as scheduled.