In Mansehra, a joint operation conducted by law enforcement agencies and Islamabad police resulted in the apprehension of former Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) MNAs Ali Nawaz Awan and Malik Aamir Dogar, along with two hosts, in the Battal area on Thursday morning.
The arrests transpired during a raid at the residence of Hizbullah, the chairman of the Battal neighborhood council and a PTI leader. Following the operation, the former lawmakers and their hosts, including Hizbullah and his cousin Zaheer Khan, were taken into custody, and their current location remains undisclosed. The local police have refrained from providing details regarding the arrests.
Ali Nawaz Awan, serving as the PTI’s central additional secretary-general, had been elected as an MNA from Islamabad, while Malik Aamir Dogar represented Multan city. Both individuals had gone into hiding as law enforcement agencies initiated a crackdown on PTI leaders and activists following the attacks on military and government installations on May 9-10.
Reacting to the arrests, the PTI expressed resentment, declaring them illegal. Ajmal Khan Swati, former PTI information secretary in Hazara division, urged an end to the “illegal” crackdown on the party. Swati highlighted that as PTI leaders emerged from hiding with the announcement of the election schedule, law enforcement agencies were detaining them, calling for an immediate halt to these arrests.
Oath video of Ali Nawaz Awan. We ask that he is presented immediately in a court as per rules and law.
This fascism must be immediately stopped! #ظلم_کا_بدلہ_ووٹ_سے pic.twitter.com/eoMCpoUnnt
— PTI (@PTIofficial) November 9, 2023
Emphasizing the need for a level playing field in the upcoming general elections, Swati pointed out that the PTI, like other political parties such as the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, Pakistan Peoples Party, and JUI-F, should be allowed to participate without hindrance. He criticized the police for obstructing a PTI workers’ convention despite court orders granting permission for political activities, including canvassing.
“The police committed contempt of court by blocking our workers’ convention despite the Peshawar High Court’s permission,” Swati asserted.
