LAHORE, Marc 9 (EW): The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Wednesday told its workers to return to their homes “peacefully” after police arrested several people for violating CrPC Section 144.
The party workers and supporters were taken into custody from the Zaman Park area where PTI Chairman Imran Khan’s residence is located, after the Punjab Home Department imposed Section 144 — banning public rallies ahead of the PTI’s election campaign and Aurat March, which were planned for today.
In a statement, PTI senior leader Hammad Azhar blamed the Punjab caretaker government and the Centre for seeking “chaos” and said that despite the polls’ schedule being announced, the party was not allowed for electioneering.
“I am telling all my workers to return home peacefully. They want us to resort to chaos, but we will not let them succeed,” he added.
The former energy minister said that the police fired tear gas shells at workers in some places they are still doing the same.
Death of worker
In a press conference later, PTI leader Farrukh Habib said that a party worker, Ali Bilal, is “lying in Services Hospital” and demanded an explanation from Punjab caretaker Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi.
He claimed that the interim government wanted to “shed blood” today and accomplished its mission.
PTI leaders claim that the administration is to blame for their party worker’s death.
The Services Hospital administration told Geo News that the PTI worker sustained an injury to his head, while the reason behind his death is yet to be determined.
Reacting to the demise of Ali Bilal, Imran Khan wrote on his official Twitter handle, asking all PTI representatives across the country to offer funeral prayer in absentia tomorrow (Thursday).
Police personnel sustain injuries
Meanwhile, the Punjab Police shared details of their injured personnel. Taking to their Twitter handle, the Capital City Police Lahore mentioned that 11 police officers, including two DSPs, and one SHO, were injured after the PTI mob “attacked” them.
