Police have registered a case against several Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf workers following a protest in Lahore’s Ghalib Market area during the visit of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi. The protest erupted when Afridi arrived in the area, with demonstrators allegedly blocking roads and chanting slogans against the government.
According to police, 20 to 30 unidentified individuals took part in the demonstration, causing disruption and inconvenience to the public. A First Information Report was lodged at Ghalib Market police station by Sub-Inspector Imran Ahmed under sections 290 and 291 of the Pakistan Penal Code, which deal with public nuisance and continuation of such nuisance after warning. Thirteen people were arrested at the scene.
Named in the case are Zain Khan Niazi, Jahanzaib Sohail, Ahmed Raza, Ali Rehman, Hassan Sajjad, Hafiz Shah, Muhammad Ihtisham, Aamir Naseer, Muhammad Wajid, Abdul Wakeel, Zakir Munir and Zameer Naseer. Police said investigations were ongoing and further details would emerge as the inquiry progressed.
The case comes amid heightened political tensions in Lahore during Afridi’s three-day visit. Authorities imposed restrictions on public gatherings in parts of the city to maintain order.
Afridi has strongly criticised these measures, calling them an attempt to suppress political activity. He has also announced a PTI public rally at Minar-e-Pakistan, rejecting claims that the party’s presence in Punjab has weakened.
