Police have begun a formal investigation into suspects arrested for violence, disorder and resistance against law enforcement during a Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) protest outside Central Jail Adiala.
According to police officials, Saddar Bairooni police station has started interrogating 16 arrested suspects who are currently in police custody on a three-day physical remand. The arrested individuals include Muhammad Hasnat, Muhammad Yar and Shahid Ali, among others.
Police said the suspects were detained at the scene and are being questioned about their alleged role in the clashes as well as the identification of other participants involved in the protest.
A case has also been registered against several senior PTI leaders and activists, including party leaders and the sisters of the party founder, Aleema Khan and Dr Uzma Khan, along with Noreen Niazi, Qasim Khan, Salman Akram Raja, Aliya Hamza and Shaukat Basra. The charges relate to alleged rioting, resistance to police and other serious offences during the protest outside Adiala Jail.
According to the FIR, more than 32 party leaders and workers have been nominated, while around 400 PTI leaders and workers have been listed as unidentified accused. Those named in the case also include Naeem Panjutha, Tabish Farooq, Tayyaba Raja, Atif Riaz, Nadia Khattak, Haroon, Raja Asad Abbas, Zafar Gondal and Shafqat Abbas.
Police alleged that protesters attacked law enforcement personnel using petrol bombs, subjected officers to violence and violated Section 144. The case has been registered under provisions of the Anti-Terrorism Act, including charges related to attempted murder.
Investigations are ongoing, and police said further arrests could be made as the inquiry progresses.
