38 C
Dubai
Sunday, April 13, 2025
spot_img

World News | Lahore bans rally as police use water cannon, tear gas on Imran Khan supporters

[ad_1]

The LATAM Airlines plane hit the vehicle on the runway (Image: Twitter / @AirCrash_)

Lahore, March 8 (PTI) — Pakistani police on Wednesday fired tear gas and used water cannon to disperse supporters of ousted Prime Minister Imran Khan who gathered outside his residence in defiance of the government’s ban on gatherings.

Khan’s Pakistan Justice Movement (PTI) claimed its “peaceful” workers were arrested amid reports the provincial capital had been placed under Section 144, which bans public gatherings.

Read also | Shark attack in Brazil: Horrific video of angry shark beating teenage girl’s arm at Piedade beach as victim cries over pained surface

The party branded the police operation “fascist” and sought to “clear the way” for the arrest of the 70-year-old former cricketer-turned-politician.

A large police force placed containers and barricades on the way to the Khan’s residence, blocking all entrances.

Read also | Arctic storm in UK: Snow, hail set to hit UK this week as Arctic blizzard intensifies; severe national warning issued.

Police used water cannon, fired tear gas and charged PTI workers, including women, with batons. The party said police strapped resisting workers to police vehicles.

Riot police also smashed the cars of PTI workers parked in Zaman Park. Police officials also manhandled journalists protesting the action, it claimed.

Police were unable to arrest Khan last Sunday, mainly because of resistance from a large number of PTI workers.

Khan has been in the crosshairs of buying gifts, including expensive Graff watches he received as prime minister at a discount from a state depository institution called Toshakhana, and selling them at a profit.

Police have registered at least 76 cases against the PTI chief since his ouster last April.

“Police arrested some PTI staff who gathered at Zaman Park,” senior PTI leader Hammad Azhar told a news conference here.

He said police tortured PTI staff and treated women roughly.

“Punjab Caretaker Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi initiated a crackdown on PTI workers at the behest of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who is directly in charge of the Punjab government,” he said.

He said it was the fear of Imran Khan that unnerved the government.

“How can the government ban a rally in Lahore when elections in Punjab have been announced for April 30?” he asked.

Shireen Mazari, another senior PTI leader, said: “PTI women workers are being attacked with water cannon. Police attacking vehicles parked on the side of the road, this is an act of wanton vandalism. Fascist CM Mohsin Naqvi has gone crazy. They are using chemicals in the water especially firing water guns at our female workers.”

The PTI rally was called off “out of respect for the dignity of the judiciary”.

Home Minister Rana Sanaullah defended the police action, saying “we have received horrific alerts from the establishment” and therefore banned public gatherings and gatherings in Punjab.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from a Syndicated News feed, the content body may not have been modified or edited by LatestLY staff)


[ad_2]

Source link

Related Articles

Saudi Foreign Minister Strategically Engages Washington Ahead of Trump’s Landmark Visit

Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister has arrived in Washington, D.C., to initiate high-level talks in preparation for U.S. President Donald Trump’s upcoming visit to the...

Saudi Arabia Celebrates Strategic Breakthrough with Discovery of 14 New Oil and Gas Fields

Saudi Arabia has announced the discovery of 14 new oil and natural gas fields and reservoirs across the kingdom, a development that underscores the...

Saudi Arabia Prioritizes Safety and Harmony: Temporary Visa Suspension Ensures Seamless Hajj Experience

Saudi Arabia has announced a temporary suspension on the issuance of Umrah, business, and family visit visas for citizens of 14 countries, including India,...

Gold Market Shifts: Prices Dip as Tariff Clarity Sparks Cautious Optimism and Economic Concerns

Gold prices experienced notable fluctuations as global investors responded to renewed clarity surrounding U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff measures. The precious metal, often viewed as...

ADES Strengthens Global Presence: Saudi Drilling Giant Expands into Brazil with $85.1M Landmark Deal

ADES Holding Co., the Saudi-based drilling giant, has made a bold move into the Brazilian market with an $85.1 million charter agreement, signaling a...

Latest Articles