A PTI official revealed on Tuesday that six MNAs, along with another party leader, have been arrested since last night as law enforcement agencies detained key figures from various locations in Islamabad, including the Parliament House.
Initially, PTI claimed that a dozen of its leaders were arrested in raids starting Monday night, but later revised the figure to six MNAs. The arrests occurred after the PTI’s Sangjani rally, with at least three top members, including Gohar Ali Khan, Sher Afzal Marwat, and MNA Zubair Khan, taken into custody. Lawyer Shoaib Shaheen was also detained in a surprise raid at his office.
In a statement, PTI international media coordinator Zulfi Bukhari confirmed that the arrested lawmakers included Gohar, Marwat, Chief Whip Malik Amir Dogar, Sheikh Waqas Akram, Bannu lawmaker Nasim Ali Shah, and Shah Mahmood Qureshi’s son Zain. The statement also noted other arrests and mentioned that some leaders, like Zartaj Gul, Omar Ayub, and Seemabia Tahir, are still sought by the police and have taken refuge in the Parliament House.
The PTI has been accused of involvement in clashes at Sangjani, with police registering multiple cases against party supporters and leaders. The FIR details a violent confrontation with police, resulting in injuries and damage to police property.
In response to the arrests, PTI Opposition Leader Omar Ayub condemned the actions, describing them as “despicable” and asserting that they undermine democracy and Parliament.
Meanwhile, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur returned to Peshawar after being unreachable for hours, sparking concerns about his potential arrest. Gandapur’s return follows fears he might have been detained after a contentious rally address.
PTI lawyer Naeem Haider Panjutha confirmed Gandapur’s safe return to KP House and his subsequent departure for Peshawar.
