Police declare 268 PTI workers, 22 leaders proclaimed offenders

ISLAMBAD: Punjab police on Tuesday declared 268 workers and 22 leaders of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) ‘proclaimed offenders’ after they failed to show up for an investigation into May 9 incidents.

Prominent PTI figures among these proclaimed offenders include Mian Aslam Iqbal, Hammad Azhar, Farrukh Habib and Zubair Khan Niazi.

The list also includes the names of PTI leaders Azam Khan Swati, Murad Saeed, Ali Amin Gandapur, Asad Umar and Hassan Niazi.

Read more: PHC seeks reply on arrest, whereabouts of Hassan Niazi

What were the May 9 incidents?

The May 9 incidents were a series of violent protests that erupted across Pakistan after the PTI chief was arrested from the premises of the Islamabad High Court. He was accused of being involved in money laundering and misappropriation of funds through a charity organisation called Al-Qadir Trust.

The PTI supporters took to the streets and clashed with the police and security forces. They also attacked and vandalised several government and military installations, including Jinnah House, the residence of Lahore’s Corps Commander, Yadgar-e-Shuhada, a memorial for martyred soldiers, and models of fighter jets and nuclear tests.

The government responded by imposing a mobile internet blockade and launching a crackdown on the PTI leaders and workers. Thousands of people were arrested and charged under anti-terrorism laws.

Some of them were also being tried under the Army Act in military courts.

The PTI alleged that the incidents were a false flag operation orchestrated by unseen forces to discredit the former prime minister and his party. They claimed that their workers were peaceful and did not resort to any violence.