Several Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders and workers including Shah Mehmood Qureshi’s daughter Meher Bano Qureshi and Javed Hashmi’s son-in-law Makhdoom Zahid Bahar Hashmi were arrested in Multan on Saturday.
According to police officials, PTI leaders and supporters took out a rally despite restrictions imposed under Section 144, which prohibits public gatherings.
The rally, led by Meher Bano Qureshi, Makhdoom Zahid Bahar Hashmi, and PTI ticket-holder Dalir Mahar, was intercepted by law enforcement near Pul Chattha Makhdoom Rashid, where several workers were also detained.
“The accused were taken into custody for violating Section 144,” police said, adding that several participants managed to disperse and evade arrest when authorities intervened.
PTI has declared February 8 as “Black Day,” alleging that the general elections held on this date were rigged. The party had planned nationwide protests to mark the occasion.
Meanwhile, PTI leader Qasim Hashmi claimed that a large number of workers were also detained along with the party’s senior members.
However, there was no immediate response from the police regarding the exact number of arrests made during the crackdown.
