Imran Khan, Gandapur booked over Rawalpindi protest

RAWALPINDI: The Rawalpindi police have registered two new cases against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder and former prime minister Imran Khan, as well as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, following a protest at Liaquat Bagh, Murree Road, on Saturday.

According to the FIRs, filed under Section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA), the former prime minister incited party workers against national institutions from Adiala Jail during the protest.

The cases were registered at the New Town Police Station and Civil Lines Police Station. Charges of attempted murder, terrorism, and violations of Section 144 have been included in the FIRs. Criticism of the Punjab government and national institutions, as well as accusations of vandalism, arson, and stone-pelting, were also cited.

The PTI protest in Rawalpindi was called off on Saturday after violent clashes between protesters and riot police near Liaquat Bagh. The Gandapur-led convoy from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa remained stuck at the Burhan Interchange for several hours due to road closures, as the Rawalpindi administration had placed containers on roads to prevent PTI workers from reaching the city.

Addressing the participants, Gandapur criticized the government for depriving PTI of its constitutional right to protest. He expressed regret that police had used tear gas and rubber bullets on PTI protesters, vowing to return with “all resources.”

When Gandapur asked PTI workers to call off the protest, it was met with strong opposition, with some workers refusing to disperse and demanding his resignation. Protesters surrounded the KP chief minister’s vehicle and staged a protest against the party leadership at Burhan Interchange. However, the situation was defused after PTI leader Azam Swati intervened.

Commenting on the clashes between PTI workers and police in Rawalpindi, Gandapur stated on Sunday that the party would respond to every bullet, tear gas shell, and baton strike used against its supporters. He also claimed that three PTI workers were shot, with the whereabouts of one still unknown.