Cases lodged against Imran, Gandapur under terrorism charges

• Cases against 100 PTI leaders, workers lodged at police stations.
• Multiple charges levelled against PTI members, say police.
• Petrol bottle recovered from possession of suspect Tahir.

RAWALPINDI: Cases have been lodged against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur under the terrorism charges, alleging them of involvement in violent demonstrations and vandalism in Rawalpindi, The News reported on Monday.

New Town police station officials filed the first information reports (FIRs) against the PTI leaders under Section 7 of Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) and relevant sections of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC).

The police also said cases were lodged at four police stations — City, Waris Khan, New Town and RA Bazaar — against more than 100 PTI leaders and supporters, including Amir Mughal, Simabiah Tahir, MPA Asad Abbas and Ijaz Khan.

A policeman involved in the investigation said in addition to the charge of conspiracy to commit vandalism, multiple other charges including interference in government operations, rioting and an attack on a government vehicle with a petrol bomb were also levelled against them.

Former prime minister Imran, KP CM Gandapur, and 45 other leaders and activists, have been nominated in the first FIR that says that the participants created unrest, obstructed public access by burning tires and creating difficulties for citizens.

Police officials reported that five suspects were arrested at the scene, including Khalil, Imran, Sadaqat, Yaseen, and Tahir. A petrol bottle was recovered from the possession of suspect Tahir. The charges included terrorism, attempted murder, vandalism, destroying public and state property, and interference in government operations.

According to the FIR, PTI leaders and activists raised anti-government slogans, hurled stones at the police and attacked with iron rods.

Several police vehicles, including that of SP Rawal, were damaged, and one police officer sustained a severe eye injury from glass. The FIR also stated that the accused seized government firearms and fired them in the air, causing panic. Police confirmed that cases have been registered, and raids were being conducted to apprehend additional suspects.

Meanwhile, the federal capital police have arrested former senator of Jamaat-e-Islami Mushtaq Ahmed with his wife and ten other activists for breaking Section 144, during a demonstration against Israel on Sunday.