Following two days of intense clashes between police and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) supporters marching on Islamabad, around 1,000 PTI activists—including approximately two dozen police officers from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa—were arrested in Islamabad and Rawalpindi. The protests, aimed at making a statement at D-Chowk, led to the registration of a dozen cases across various police stations.
Protests and Arrests: A Dwindling Demonstration
By Sunday, the fervour of the protests appeared to have subsided, with only a few supporters gathered at Express Chowk and Kulsoom Chowk. However, the police swiftly broke up these gatherings and arrested over 45 individuals. They also suppressed similar demonstrations in areas like Koral, Tarnol, and Sangjani.
During a press conference, Islamabad police chief Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi reported that authorities detained 878 protesters, including 120 Afghan nationals and eight Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police officials, although several others managed to escape. According to Rizvi, many of the detained Afghans lacked documentation, while some held expired Proof of Residence (PoR) cards.
Protests and Arrests: FIRs Across Islamabad and Punjab
The Islamabad police registered 10 cases under various sections of the law, including the Anti-Terrorism Act, at several police stations: Kohsar, CTD, Sumbal, Aabpara, Noon, Tarnol, Sangjani, and Industrial Area. One case filed at the Kohsar police station specifically implicated PTI leaders Imran Khan, Ali Amin Gandapur, Uzma and Aleema Khan (Imran’s sisters), along with 500 to 600 supporters. The FIR listed charges of terrorism, attempted murder, criminal intimidation, and other offences under sections 440, 427, 365, 324, 186, 188, 353, 341, 148, 149, 395, 506ii, and 109 of the Pakistan Penal Code.
Additional cases were filed at the Naseerabad and Taxila police stations on Sunday. In particular, the Naseerabad police named 300 PTI workers, 17 of whom were arrested on Friday night. Raids are currently underway to apprehend the remaining suspects. According to the FIR, protesters armed with batons and petrol bombs clashed with police, damaging vehicles and allegedly firing gunshots, causing widespread panic.
The Taxila police also named PTI founder Imran Khan and 105 supporters in their FIR, with charges including attempted murder, among 19 sections of the Pakistan Penal Code and sections 7 and 21 of the Anti-Terrorism Act. Sub-Inspector Qaiser Mehmood submitted the case at the Taxila police station, claiming that Imran Khan, from Adiala Jail, called for the protests and that various PTI leaders actively participated.
Protests and Arrests: Injuries and Hostage Incidents
The FIR stated that protesters injured Assistant Sub-Inspector Mohammad Afzal of the Anti-Riot Unit, along with officers Saman Rajeesh, Mohammad Riaz, and Mohammad Ramzan, during clashes. The document also reports that protesters abducted constable Tasfeen Asghar and later released him at a deserted location on the motorway after seizing his anti-riot gear.
According to district police sources, officers detained 105 protesters from various parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa—particularly from Dir and Malakand—and recovered masks, tear gas shells, and rubber bullets from the suspects.
Protests and Arrests: KP Police and Equipment Seizure
Attock police arrested 11 Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police officers alleged to have participated in the PTI march. The police detained six officers from Pathargarh within the Hassanabdal jurisdiction and arrested five near the Burhan interchange. Sources reported that these officers confronted law enforcement while armed with tear gas shells and stones.
Meanwhile, Attock police confiscated state machinery, including 22 vehicles—comprising Rescue 1122 ambulances and fire brigade trucks—brought in from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Authorities took these vehicles into custody near Burhan and relocated them to the Hassanabdal police station. In addition, officials from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s rescue services, including medical technicians and firefighters, detained over 50 individuals and moved them to undisclosed locations.
The PTI protests have thus resulted in significant arrests, confiscations, and charges across multiple jurisdictions as authorities seek to restore order and address the alleged law violations.
