LAHORE: In what appear to be re-enactment of last year’s May 25, Punjab Police have launched a crackdown against workers and supporters of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and rounded up dozens of them within minutes after imposing a sudden ban on all types of rallies and processions via Section 144.
بریکنگ اپڈیٹ
لاہور: تحریک انصاف کے گرفتار کارکنوں سےلدی قیدی وین کو کینٹ پولیس اسٹیشن پہنچا دیا گیا – کارکنوں کے عمران خان کے حق میں نعرے بازی pic.twitter.com/Ezreln1gjI— MM News (@mmnewsdottv) March 8, 2023
Details gathered by MM News revealed that heavy contingent of police surrounded Zaman Park and adjacent areas ahead of PTI’s schedule launch of its political rally towards Data Darbar. Interestingly, the caretaker government of Punjab had written a letter to Dr Yasmin Rashid urging to take extra security measures for today’s rally.
تحریک انصاف کے کارکنوں کی مال روڈ پر احتجاج کرنے پر پولیس کی جانب سے درگت بننا شروع۔ گرفتاریاں شروع #تحریک_انصاف pic.twitter.com/Pv29K4gmvG
— Muhammad Asim Naseer (@AsimNaseer81) March 8, 2023
However, minutes after that letter, the home department Punjab issued notification, suddenly imposing section 144 and banning all types of rallies and processions, gatherings.
آزادی اظہار رائے کا گلا گھونٹنا روز کا معمول بن چکا ہے ۔ Naya Pakistan کے نوجوان رپورٹر اور انکی ٹیم کی گرفتاری انتہائی قابل مذمت ہے ۔ حواس باختہ امپورٹڈ حکمران اوچھے ہتھکنڈوں سے سچ بولنے والوں کو خاموش نہیں کروا سکتے @Naya__Pakistan_
— Dr. Iftikhar Durrani (@IftikharDurani) March 8, 2023
And within minutes after the introduction of ban, Police in Lahore’s Zaman Park area started arresting workers of PTI, journalists associated with Digital Media platforms and other supporters. At one place, Police started using Water Canon to disperse workers with attempt to restrain them from taking out rally.
In multiple videos uploaded online, even female workers could be seen being directly targeted by the Punjab Police Water Canon.
بریکنگ اپڈیٹ
لاہور: پولیس کا واٹر کینن کا استعمال، تحریک انصاف کے کارکنوں کو ہر صورت روکا جانے لگا، pic.twitter.com/xmfuHmFoBq— MM News (@mmnewsdottv) March 8, 2023
Some of the female workers alleged that the water used by police water canon, had some chemical mixed in it.
تازہ ترین اس ووڈیو میں لاہور !???????????? pic.twitter.com/axZXwO4vjF
— Abbas Shabbir (@Abbasshabbir72) March 8, 2023
A bunch of Lahore Police was seen attacking multiple vehicles with batons, smashing windows.
یہ گاڑیاں کون توڑ رہا ہے؟ کیا اس کا مقدمہ بھی عمران خان پر درج ہو گا؟ pic.twitter.com/a32Rbd6b0k
— Abdul Qadir (@AbdulqadirARY) March 8, 2023
Moments ago, PTI leader had urged upon party workers to remain peaceful as, in his words, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah wanted bloodshed.
