Ajit Karn
Lahore: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chief Imran Khan and 400 others were charged with murder and terrorism on Thursday in Lahore for their confrontation with police personnel during the party’s rally, which left one activist dead and many others injured.
During its 11-month rule, the coalition government led by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has filed eighty cases against the deposed prime minister Khan.
On Wednesday, police allegedly killed PTI activist Ali Bilal and injured more than a dozen others during a crackdown outside Khan’s residence, where they were planning to launch a pro-judicial rally.
The police also apprehended over one hundred PTI employees.
According to the FIR, eleven police officers were injured during the clash with PTI members who threw stones at them.
According to the FIR, six PTI employees also sustained injuries.
Senior PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry stated on Thursday that rather than registering a FIR against the policemen and their superiors for the murder of the PTI worker on the family’s request, the police have charged 70-year-old Khan and 400 others with his murder.
The FIR also names Fawad Chaudhry, Farukh Habib, Hammad Azhar, and Mahmoodur Rashid as PTI leaders.
The former cricketer-turned-politician posted images of PTI employees being brutally beaten on social media and stated: “This is what a group of corrupt and homicidal criminals have done to the nation. Our Constitution, fundamental liberties, and the rule of law have been violated. Innocent, unarmed PTI employees, including women, were the target of police violence and brutality; one employee was murdered while in custody.”
The deposed prime minister requested that party supporters across the nation offer funeral prayers for the deceased employee.
The PTI announced it would file murder charges against Punjab caretaker chief minister Mohsin Naqvi, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah, Punjab IGP Usman Anwar, and Lahore police chief Bilal Saddique Kamyana.
Meanwhile, the IGP of Punjab has formed a two-member committee to investigate the clash between police and PTI workers outside Zaman Park.
Wednesday, police utilised tear gas and water cannons to disperse PTI activists.
Following reports that the provincial capital had been placed under Section 144, prohibiting public gatherings, the party asserted that its “peaceful” employees were apprehended.
Khan cancelled his party’s “pro-judiciary” rally from his residence in Zaman Park to Data Darbar following the violent clashes between police and his party members.
Khan stated that in order to postpone the elections in Pakistan’s Punjab, the government requires bodies. “The police have detained 100 of our employees. We will not allow the government and its manipulators to achieve their nefarious goals “he said.
Sunday, the police were unable to apprehend Khan due primarily to the resistance of a significant number of PTI employees outside his residence.
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Khan has been criticised for purchasing presents, including a costly Graff wristwatch he received as prime minister at a discount from the Toshakhana state depository, and reselling them for a profit.
In accordance with the Supreme Court’s order, President Dr. Arif Alvi has set April 30 for elections in Punjab. The ruling coalition in the Centre, commanded by the PML-N, has publicly declared that elections will not be conducted.
The interim government of Punjab has prohibited public gatherings in Lahore.
