Sialkot rally: Police arrest Usman Dar, several PTI activists   

Sialkot: Police have arrested Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Usman Dar along with several activists on Saturday for preparing for an unauthorized rally at CTI ground in Sialkot.

According to details, police fired tear gas and used baton-charged to disperse PTI workers as they resisted the removal of ‘rally stuff’ from the venue.  

Police also started removing goods from the hall with the help of a crane.

A large contingent of police was present in the hall while several workers including Usman Dar, Ali Asjad Malhi and former DG Anti-Corruption Aslam Ghman from the venue were taken into custody. 

The district administration, yesterday, refused to grant PTI permission to hold a public rally at the CTI Ground in Sialkot. However, the PTI was still preparing for the meeting.

The administration raised an objection that the PTI organizers did not seek permission from the owners of the CTI Ground to hold their public gathering at the Sialkot site. 

“Holding a public rally on a private property without owners’ consent cannot be approved,” said official, adding that they are ready to give them an alternative venue for the meeting. 

In a video statement, Usman Dar stated: “Putting us in jail will not lessen the love of the Kaptaan (Imran Khan),” adding that peaceful meeting is our right, Imran Khan will definitely come to Sialkot today.

In the meantime, District Police Officer (DPO) Sialkot revealed that the ground belongs to Christian community—which repudiated any political party to hold a public meeting at their place.  

The DPO further added that the Christian community had filed a petition in the High Court, which then, ordered to halt the meeting on the ground. 

Deputy Commissioner Sialkot Imran Qureshi also confirmed that the rally was stopped by the district administration as the owners’ had requested that religious ceremonies be held at the ground.