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PTI alleges Karachi police crackdown on workers ahead of convention


PTI Karachi

KARACHI: The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Sunday accused Karachi police of apprehending numerous party workers ahead of a workers’ convention at the residence of a party leader in the Safoora Goth area, a claim vehemently denied by the police.

In a video posted on social media platform X (previously Twitter), policemen were seen forcibly entering Mahesar House, the residence of a PTI leader, and detaining an unidentified individual. The PTI characterized the police action as a “raid.”

Following the incident, PTI’s Sher Afzal Marwat, who had addressed a PTI rally at Seaview earlier in the day, called on party supporters to gather at Al Asif Square in anticipation of the convention.

Marwat alleged that the police had surrounded Mahesar House and arrested approximately 25 workers outside the residence. “I urge all workers to reach Mahesar House, and if we gather in significant numbers, the police won’t be able to resist us,” he stated.

He emphasized that the PTI did not require permission to hold a convention on private property and appealed to party members for support. “I need your help, so I urge you to come here,” Marwat urged.

PTI Karachi spokesperson Falak Almas told Dawn.com that Marwat was scheduled to address a workers’ convention at Mahesar House, the residence of PTI Karachi’s General Secretary, Advocate Rehman Mahesar. Almas alleged that the police, already stationed there, detained numerous workers, preventing them from reaching the venue. She further claimed that the police were awaiting Marwat’s arrival to apprehend him.

Contrary to these claims, East Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Syed Irfan Bahadur denied any arrests of PTI workers and refuted allegations of the police intending to apprehend Marwat.

South Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Syed Asad Raza, when asked about police action during the PTI rally at Seaview, clarified that law enforcement did not impose restrictions or obstacles. “The police permitted them to exercise their freedom of speech and freedom of assembly, allowing them to gather in a peaceful and democratic manner. The rally took place, and participants dispersed peacefully,” he stated.

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