Islamabad police officer accused of misconduct with PTI supporter

ISLAMABAD:  Police officer in Islamabad has been accused of misconduct towards a female supporter of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, who had arrived in Turnol on Peshawar Road to attend a public gathering organized by the former ruling party.

The PTI had planned a historic public meeting in the federal capital today to demand the release of party founder Imran Khan. However, the district administration suspended the No Objection Certificate (NOC) for the rally, citing security concerns and terrorism threats.

Despite the suspension, PTI workers and supporters began gathering at the location. Law enforcement officers reportedly dispersed the crowd using baton charges. One woman, whose identity remains undisclosed, confronted a police officer, inquiring why the rally site was empty.

In response, SHO Shabbir informed her that the NOC had been revoked by the chief commissioner. The woman pleaded, “But please don’t beat them with batons.” The officer responded rudely, saying, “Aap yahan se niklain, kon hain aap [You move from there, who are you?]”.

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Imran Khan’s party has faced significant challenges since May 9, 2023, when PTI workers and supporters vandalized several military and civil installations following Khan’s arrest in the Al-Qadir Trust case. The government launched a crackdown to detain those involved in the vandalism, with top civil-military leaders pledging to try rioters under relevant laws, including the Army Act.

This crackdown has led to a mass exodus of leaders from the PTI. High-profile figures such as Fawad Chaudhry, Asad Umer, Shireen Mazari, Pervaiz Khattak, Fayazul Hassan Chohan, Aamer Mahmood Kiani, Malik Amin Aslam, Imran Ismail, Ali Zaidi, Maleeka Ali Bokhari, Jamshed Iqbal Cheema, and Musarrat Jamshed Cheema have left the party, condemning the May 9 incidents and accusing Imran Khan of instigating attacks on defense properties.