Arrest me if you can: Sheikh Rasheed challenges authorities

RAWALPINDI: The Lal Haveli kept awaiting Sheikh Rasheed on Friday, but the AML chief could only reach out to the Committee Chowk and left after a brief address with workers and supporters there.

Awami Muslim League (AML) chief Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed arrived at Committee Chowk on a motorcycle amid clashes between police and protesters on Friday afternoon.

“You said I was hiding, but I have reached here under all circumstances,” Rasheed said in reference to the country’s leadership.  

"If you have the courage come and arrest me. I am ready," Rasheed dared authorities. 

The AML chief demanded Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to present himself for accountability. He claimed that the law enforcement had  apprehended nearly 450 people for protesting against the government.

Rasheed told protesters that all roads leading to the Lal Haveli had been blocked. The AML chief left again on a motorcycle after addressing protesters for approximately ten minutes. 

"Today was a trailer, the film will be shown on November 2,” Rasheed said in a tweet after leaving the Committee Chowk.

[embed_video1 url=http://stream.jeem.tv/vod/62a2f9b128fd8073517c07969bdf3991.mp4/playlist.m3u8?wmsAuthSign=c2VydmVyX3RpbWU9MTAvMjgvMjAxNiAzOjE0OjEwIFBNJmhhc2hfdmFsdWU9dTZLeXB6S0RFV0hzREVpbG5ONWk2UT09JnZhbGlkbWludXRlcz02MCZpZD0x style=center]

Protesters, police clash on Committee Chowk

Protesters from the PTI and AML clashed with police on Committee Chowk. According to reports protesters along with PTI MPA Aijaz Khan Jazi were arrested during the clashes. 

Protesters on Committee Chowk pelted police with stones. The police baton-charged and used tear gas to disperse the protesters.

In Pictures: Clashes on Committee Chowk 

Roads leading to Lal Haveli blocked by containers

Containers were placed on roads leading to Lal Haveli, the residence of AML chief Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed.

Rawalpindi’s administration placed these containers to stop people from reaching Lal Haveli, where the AML chief was expected to hold a rally on Friday.

Sheikh Rasheed was not present at the Lal Haveli at the time the containers were placed, and in the morning had a rich breakfast of lassi and paya.

Read: Sheikh Rasheed’s driver, guard arrested

Earlier while speaking to Geo News, Sheikh Rasheed said Chief Minister Punjab Shehbaz Sharif had issued orders to have him arrested before 2 PM, adding that he was ready to be arrested.  

A policeman walks next to trucks, which was used to block a venue of a planned protest gathering organised by Awami Muslim League

Section 144 imposed in Rawalpindi

Chief Secretary Punjab spoke with CPO Rawalpindi over the telephone. According to sources, the chief secretary said section 144 is imposed in Rawalpindi and rallies cannot be held.

The chief secretary added that no one would be allowed to take the law into their own hands.  

CPO Rawalpindi said containers had only been placed in surrounding areas of Lal Haveli and Committee Chowk.

Motorcyclists pass through a gap in a barricade set up using shipping containers near the venue of a planned protest gathering organised by Awami Muslim League

Sheikh Rasheed speaks of breaking the law  

PML-N leader Zaeem Qadri said Sheikh Rasheed had announced he would break the law. Speaking to Geo News, the representative of the Punjab government said no one would be allowed to violate section 144.

“Whether it is Imran Khan or Sheikh Rasheed, no one will be allowed to violate section 144,” Qadri said.

Imran questions his confinement 

PTI chairman Imran Khan spoke with journalists after being confined to his Bani Gala residence. Khan asked what law had he broken that he was not allowed to leave and go to Rawalpindi.

Read: Khan says sit-in cannot be stopped 

Khan said he had almost placed under house arrest and Bani Gala had been blocked which was a violation of court orders.

The PTI chief vowed that his Islamabad sit-in would be held at all costs.