Islamabad, 10 May 2023 (GNP): Following the previous arrest of Asad Umar on Wednesday, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Vice Chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi has also been taken into custody by Islamabad Police from within the Red Zone area, further igniting widespread demonstrations.
A 15-day confinement period is included in Qureshi’s detention. At Secretariat Police Station in Islamabad, both Shah Mehmood Qureshi and Asad Umar are held in detention.
Fawad Chaudhry, senior vice president of PTI, is also being pursued by law enforcers.
According to sources, the PTI’s senior leadership is a target since they are viewed as powerful individuals capable of inciting unrest and demonstrations across the country.
However, Party members have already started protesting in a number of cities including Peshawar, Lahore, Karachi, Faisalabad, and many others, in response to the arrest of Imran Khan.
Following the arrest of PTI chairman Imran Khan, Shah Mehmood Qureshi is the fourth PTI leader to be held in custody. According to reports, Omer Cheema, former governor of Punjab, has also been detained.
Also Read: PTI Leader Asad Umar Arrested from IHC Premises
During a demonstration against Imran Khan’s detention in Karachi on Tuesday night, Ali Zaidi, head of PTI’s Sindh chapter, was also captured by Sindh Police.
Government summons Army in Punjab:
As the protests descended into violence, at least five protesters are confirmed to be dead and several others are wounded. Conflicts with PTI supporters in Peshawar also resulted in the serious injuries of at least three police officers.
Two fatalities are also being reported from Lahore by Edhi Foundation, while three more are reported in Peshawar.
According to a notification released by the Ministry of Interior, deployment of army forces has been requested in accordance with Article 245 of the Constitution and Section 4(3)(ii) of the Anti-Terrorism Act 1997,
The orders stated that “The exact number of troops or assets, date, and area of deployment will be worked out by the provincial government in consultation with the military officials”.
“The date of de-requisitioning of said deployment will be decided subsequently after mutual consultation among the stakeholders,” it added.
Moreover, the government has put restrictions on mobile internet and social media to stop the spread of anger and propaganda.
However, the current situation is still unstable as tensions increase and protests spread around the country.
