Murad Saeed escapes police raid, case filed against relatives

PESHAWAR: Peshawar police have registered a case against the relatives of Murad Saeed, a leader of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), for allegedly aiding in his escape during a visibly tense police raid.

According to Superintendent of Police (SP) Warsak Arshad Khan, Murad Saeed was hiding in a house in the Nishtar Bagh area. However, when the police carried out the raid to apprehend him, his relatives obstructed the police operation, allowing Murad Saeed to escape.

The relatives also reportedly engaged in heated arguments and altercations with the police team executing the raid.

It was stated that Murad Saeed managed to evade the police operation just minutes before the raid took place.

According to the SP Warsak, a case has been registered against Murad Saeed’s relatives, among others, at the Nishtar Bagh police station for their alleged involvement in aiding his escape.

It should be noted that cases have been registered against Murad Saeed for his alleged involvement in May 9 riots.

The May 9 riots were a series of violent protests that erupted in Pakistan after the arrest of the former prime minister and the PTI chief on corruption charges. His supporters clashed with the police and set fire to public property across the country. The government responded with a crackdown and arrested thousands of PTI workers and leaders.

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It was supposed to be a routine court hearing for the PTI chief, but he was arrested by Rangers personnel from outside the Islamabad High Court premises. His supporters, who had gathered outside the Islamabad High Court, were shocked and enraged. They started chanting slogans and throwing stones at the Rangers and police present there.

The news spread like wildfire across the country. In Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar and other cities, thousands of the PTI chief’s followers took to the streets to protest against his arrest. They burned tyres, smashed windows, and attacked public property including military installations across the country.

Since May 9 riots, scores of PTI workers and leaders have been taken into custody. A large number of prominent PTI leaders condemned the incidents and quit the party. Several PTI leaders have gone underground since then while some including the PTI chief are languishing in jails.