Case Filed Against PTI Leaders Amid Protests and Blockades
A case has been registered against several prominent figures of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, including Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Ali Amin Gandapur. The charges stem from their alleged involvement in protests that led to blockades on GT Road and acts of vandalism.
Notable PTI leaders Azam Swati, Amir Mughal, Umar Ayub, and Barrister Saif were also named in the case, along with around 350 unnamed activists. The charges include serious allegations, such as terrorism and attempted murder, filed under 14 different sections of the law.
The FIR alleges that during the protests, police personnel were fired upon and some were even taken hostage. The individuals arrested reportedly claimed that they were following instructions from PTI’s leadership, with orders to reach D-Chowk at any cost.
This legal action is part of a broader crackdown on PTI leadership, with similar charges already filed in Lahore against former Prime Minister Imran Khan and others, further escalating the tensions between the government and PTI.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa CM Gandapur Reappears After Disappearance
After a day of uncertainty, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur resurfaced at the provincial assembly on Sunday. His sudden disappearance during a PTI-led protest in Islamabad had sparked widespread concern. His absence had even prompted the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly to pass a resolution calling for his immediate release.
Gandapur had last been seen leading a convoy of PTI supporters into Islamabad on October 5 near China Chowk before disappearing. CCTV footage showed him entering Khyber Pakhtunkhwa House but later leaving in civilian clothes, raising questions about his departure.
PTI leaders, including former National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser, demanded his release, threatening nationwide protests if he wasn’t freed within 24 hours. However, Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi clarified that Gandapur was not in federal custody and had voluntarily gone into hiding, adding to the confusion.
Upon his return, Gandapur addressed the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly with a passionate speech, accusing the federal government of undermining the province’s autonomy and PTI’s achievements. He criticized the treatment of PTI members, stating that their electoral success had been undermined and that their campaign efforts were obstructed. He condemned the raid on Khyber Pakhtunkhwa House as an attack on the province’s autonomy and questioned the opposition’s vote count during the election.
Gandapur concluded by stating that the struggle was not just about PTI but about Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s rightful place in the federation. Despite his return, tensions remain high, with PTI threatening nationwide protests if further action is taken against its members or leadership.
As the situation develops, the political standoff continues to escalate, with both sides remaining firm in their positions.
