More people, including Meher Bano, daughter of Pakistan Tehreek-E-Insaf (PTI) leader Shah Mehmood Qureshi, were arrested during a protest in Multan, as police crashes on the demonstration.
According to Express News, the arrests were made after protests took place despite section 144 being enforced in Punjab, which prohibits gatherings, competitions and processions.
Police were deployed in key areas of Multan, including Ghunghat Chowk, Chungi No. 9, Nawan Shahr Chowk and Shock Kaceri, where PTI activists protested.
Meher Bano and Zahid Bahar Hashmi led with several party workers the protest before being detained by police. The protest was quickly spread as the arrests took place and the detained individuals were taken to police stations with prisoners vans.
The Punjab government has introduced section 144 in response to PTI’s call for protests throughout the province. The government’s steps to control the rally are part of ongoing measures to prevent further disturbances in the midst of the growing political tensions.
Yesterday, PTI announced that it will refrain from any confrontation or turmoil on February 8, the first anniversary of last year’s parliamentary elections, and has instead revealed plans for a major demonstration in Swabi.
PTI had previously sought permission to hold a demonstration in Minar-E-Pakistan in Lahore, but the Deputy Commissioner rejected the request with reference to concern to maintain law and order.
Lahore DC Syed Musa Raza explained that the decision was made to avoid disturbances as significant events were planned in Lahore, including a cricket match, an international speaker conference and a horse and cattle exhibition, all required extensive security staff.
Instead, PTI announced plans for a big rally in Swabi, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, and urged supporters nationwide to participate.
PTI -General Secretary Salman Akram Raja declared in Islamabad that the party would only hold a rally in Swabi, while protests would take place at Tehsil and Union Council levels where there were no plans for chaos.
