Over 150 arrested as police raid houses of PTI leaders

Islamabad: Punjab Police late Monday raided the houses of several Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders, including former minister Hammad Azhar, Usman Dar and Babar Awan, while a police constable was also shot dead during a "crackdown" in Lahore 

Punjab police have launched a crackdown against PTI leaders and workers ahead of long march during which dozens of PTI workers were taken into custody. 

As per sources, over 150 workers have been arrested so far.  

During a raid on one of the PTI leader's home in Lahore's Model Town, a police officer identified as Kamal Ahmed was shot in the chest and was taken to a nearby hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. 

According to DIG Operations Lahore Captain (retd) Muhammad Sohail Chaudhry, the suspect fired the bullet from the rooftop of a house and killed the cop. 

Police, however, is still investigating the incident. 

The countrywide crackdown has been launched against PTI leaders and workers, with arrests of dozens of workers ahead of long march announced by PTI chairman Imran Khan. 

The development comes hours after PTI's Senior Vice President Fawad Chaudhry, in a press conference, warned the government against using force to stop the "Azadi March".

The former information minister told the government that it could arrest PTI leaders and workers if it wanted, but it would not be in its favour.

However, police raided Azhar’s home—in an apparent attempt to arrest him, but he was not present there. 

Retweeting Hamad Azhar's tweet about the police raid, former law minister Fawad Chaudhry said that the police raid on Hamad Azhar's house was a clear violation of the decision of the Islamabad High Court.

He warned the officers involved that any officer who would play a political role would have to face the consequences.

In Lahore, police also raided the residence of PTI's former information secretary, Farrukh Javed, but he escaped via his residence's back door.

In Lahore's Johar Town, PTI MPA Sadia Sohail said her house had also been raided. 

"Police violated the sanctity of the four walls of the house," she claimed.

Sialkot police also raided the residence of Usman Dar, however, he was not present at his home, officials said.

PTI's Sahiwal district president, Rana Aftab, and another PTI leader Kanwar Imran also claimed that their houses were raided.

Operation has started on PTI workers in different cities. There are reports of raids on workers and leadership in other cities including Faisalabad, Lahore, Multan, Sialkot and Jhelum. 

PTI leader Shahbaz Gul condemned the police raid on Hamad Azhar's house last night and said that Hamad Azhar and his forefathers had always practiced politics of honesty and nobility. The march will be even stronger, Hamad Azhar will leave Lahore with a large number of people.

Farrukh Habib on the police action against the leaders of Thiruvananthapuram said that all the bureaucracy and the police are sending a message that corrupt dacoits who have come to power under external conspiracy should not accept their unconstitutional and illegal orders which will support them. The whole nation is watching you. Support the truth.

Zartaj Gul said on the crackdown of the police that the imported government has resorted to clever tactics. Are not the ones.

Usman Dar said that the worst crackdown of the police has started. Heavy contingent is present at Jinnah House in Sialkot for my arrest. We will pay the full cost of the process.

It is to be noted that in order to stop the real independence march, police crackdown is going on against the leaders of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in different cities of the country at present. Police raids on the homes of several senior leaders, including Mian Aslam Iqbal and Mian Mahmood Al-Rasheed, are continuing.

-- Imran Khan tweets --

PTI Chairman, in a tweet, said peaceful protest was the right of all our citizens, but brutal crackdown on PTI leaders and workers in Punjab and Islamabad had once again shown us what we are familiar with the fascist nature of PMLN when in power.

"The present crackdown also raises serious questions about the handlers."