Cases have been lodged against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur under terrorism charges for their alleged involvement in violent demonstrations and vandalism in Rawalpindi. The first information reports (FIRs) were filed by officials at the New Town police station under Section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) and relevant sections of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC).
In addition to the PTI leaders, cases were registered at four police stations — City, Waris Khan, New Town, and RA Bazaar — against over 100 PTI leaders and supporters, including Amir Mughal, Simabiah Tahir, MPA Asad Abbas, and Ijaz Khan.
Police allege that the PTI leaders conspired to commit acts of vandalism and faced charges of rioting, interference in government operations, and attacking a government vehicle with a petrol bomb. The first FIR names Imran Khan, CM Gandapur, and 45 other leaders and activists, accusing them of creating public unrest, blocking access by burning tires, and obstructing citizens.
Five suspects were arrested at the scene, and a petrol bottle was recovered from one of the suspects, Tahir. Charges include terrorism, attempted murder, vandalism, destruction of public and state property, and interference in government operations. The FIR further states that the PTI activists attacked police officers with stones and iron rods, damaging vehicles and injuring a police officer. Police have launched raids to apprehend more suspects.
In a separate incident, the federal capital police arrested former Jamaat-e-Islami senator Mushtaq Ahmed, his wife, and ten other activists for violating Section 144 during a protest against Israel on Sunday.
