On Wednesday, the PTI reported the death of one of its workers and injuries to several others as police clamped down on protestors in Lahore, with the imposition of Section 144 by the caretaker government to prohibit public gatherings before a planned PTI rally.
On the other hand, police sources reported that 11 officers, including two DSPs and an SHO, were injured during the clashes with PTI protestors. One injured policeman is said to be in serious condition. The police officials, who spoke anonymously, accused the protestors of using brutal violence and disregarding the law.
Syed Mohsin Naqvi, the Caretaker Chief Minister, has ordered a prompt inquiry into the PTI worker’s death.
PTI Chairman Imran Khan blamed the provincial police for the brutal murder of Ali Bilal, a PTI worker, near his residence in Zaman Park.
Ali Bilal unarmed & our dedicated & passionate PTI worker murdered by Punjab police. Shameful, this brutality on unarmed PTI workers who were coming to attend election rally. Pakistan is in the grip of murderous criminals. We will file cases against IG, CCPO & others for murder. pic.twitter.com/BLQZE1uejr
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) March 8, 2023
Imran Khan expressed his outrage at the brutal treatment of unarmed PTI workers who were en route to attend an election rally, calling it shameful. He further stated that Pakistan is under the control of murderous criminals and announced that cases would be filed against IG, CCPO, and others for the murder of the workers.
This video clearly shows that Ali Bilal, also affectionately called Zille Shah, was alive when taken to police station. So he was killed while in police custody – such is the murderous bent of the present regime & Punjab police. pic.twitter.com/ZsNLa0eEWb
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) March 8, 2023
PTI leaders Farrukh Habib, Azhar Mashwani, and Mussarat Cheema reiterated the claims of violence and brutality by the Punjab police on party supporters coming to attend the rally.
PTI chief Imran Khan questioned under what law the caretaker government of Punjab had imposed the ban considering that “hardly 55 days [are] left” for elections to take place in the province after the dissolution of the provincial assembly.
SC 5-mbr bench orders elections in Punjab & KP in 90 days, asking President to announce date which he does – 30 April. With hardly 55 days left, PTI kicks off election rally in Lahore. Under what law, & in brazen contempt of SC, Punjab Caretaker govt uses massive police violence
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) March 8, 2023
According to Imran Khan, the ban was a blatant violation of the Supreme Court’s order.