KP govt to take legal action against crackdown during PTI Rawalpindi protest

PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has vowed to take legal action following violent clashes between Punjab police and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) workers during a protest in Rawalpindi.

The protest was called off after clashes erupted between police and workers, resulting in over 50 PTI workers being injured, with bullets and shells fired every three kilometers.

According to Barrister Mohammad Ali Saif, Adviser to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister on Information, the government had planned a “Model Town-like tragedy” and subjected PTI workers to straight firing, while women workers were shelled.

The KP government plans to approach the courts and issue directions to the provincial advocate general for taking legal action.

The clashes began when PTI workers attempted to head towards Liaquat Bagh, prompting police to use teargas shelling to disperse the crowd. PTI workers retaliated by hurling stones and glass bottles at law enforcers.

In response, cases have been registered against 58 local PTI leaders, including Seemabia Tahir and Shehryar Riaz, under provisions including terrorism, attempted murder, vandalism, and interference in government.

The first information report (FIR) alleges that PTI workers raised anti-state slogans, were armed with weapons, and damaged officers’ vehicles.

KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur condemned the police action, stating that they would reply to every bullet, shell, and baton used against their supporters. The whereabouts of one injured worker remain unknown.