In Lahore, Sher Afzal Marwat, a leader of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), has reportedly been apprehended outside the Lahore High Court (LHC). Marwat, the senior vice president of the party, was taken into custody by a substantial police presence as he was leaving the high court premises after participating in a lawyers’ convention. According to reports, he is currently being transported to the Mozang police station.
This incident follows an earlier claim by Marwat of an attempted “abduction” by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) police while he was on his way to Gulabad near Chakdara for a PTI convention in Bajaur. Marwat asserted that approximately 300 heavily equipped officers tried to ‘abduct’ him upon entering Gulabad. However, due to protests from party workers, the police eventually released him and instructed them to vacate the area.
The latest development is connected to the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) against Marwat and PTI workers for organizing a worker’s convention in Swabi on December 3. Authorities charged 21 local PTI leaders and others with violating Section 144, which empowers the district administration to impose a complete ban on any unauthorized gathering, rally, assembly, protest, or group of more than five people.
It is noteworthy that Marwat had previously obtained protective bail from the Islamabad High Court (IHC) in two cases. In October, a case had been filed against him in K-P, accusing him of provoking the public against state institutions through social media.
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