Police Crackdown on PTI Leaders, Gohar Khan and Sher Afzal Marwat Arrested

ISLAMABAD: On September 9, 2024, Islamabad police arrested Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Khan and lawmaker Sher Afzal Marwat outside Parliament House. The arrests stemmed from allegations that PTI violated the newly enacted Peaceful Assembly and Public Order Bill, 2024, during their rally in the capital on Sunday. Further arrests are anticipated, with police preparing to detain additional PTI leaders, including Omar Ayub Khan and Zartaj Gul Wazir.

Police deployed heavy contingents outside Parliament House and sealed all entry and exit routes to the Red Zone, including D-Chowk, Nadra Chowk, Serena, and Marriott, with Margala Road remaining open. Despite this, PTI MNA Ali Muhammad Khan was not taken into custody when he left Parliament.

Marwat’s arrest occurred after he reportedly clashed with police personnel during the rally. Sources indicated that he resisted arrest, demanding to see a warrant. The new law, which came into effect after President Asif Ali Zardari signed it into law just before the rally, empowers authorities to regulate and ban public gatherings, imposing severe penalties for violations.

The Peaceful Assembly and Public Order Bill, 2024, gives district magistrates the authority to manage and prohibit public assemblies in the federal capital. It introduces penalties of up to three years in prison or fines for unlawful assembly members, with repeat offenders facing up to ten years of imprisonment. The bill also allows police to disperse assemblies likely to disturb public peace.

The crackdown follows PTI’s high-profile rally in Islamabad, where clashes erupted between party supporters and police at Chungi No 26 on the outskirts of the capital. PTI workers allegedly violated the designated routes, leading to confrontations with law enforcement. The police responded with tear gas and baton charges after PTI supporters reportedly pelted stones at officers.

The arrests of Gohar Khan and Sher Afzal Marwat signal a broader effort by authorities to enforce the new public gathering regulations. The Islamabad police have also filed cases against several PTI leaders, including Shoaib Shaheen, who was detained from his residence. Additional arrests are expected, with the police targeting Punjab leaders who participated in the rally.

The recent developments underscore the tension between PTI and the government, with the new law intensifying the scrutiny of public gatherings. The Peaceful Assembly and Public Order Bill, 2024, marks a significant shift in how public assemblies are regulated, aiming to curb disruptions but drawing criticism for its impact on civil liberties.

The situation remains fluid, with further actions anticipated as authorities continue to enforce the new regulations and address violations from the PTI rally.