Syed Ali Shah:
QUETTA:
Police arrested 44 workers and leaders of the key opposition party i.e. Pakistan Tehrik e Insaf (PTI) from various parts of Balochistan on Wednesday. Police launched a crackdown against the PTI workers after violent clashes in Quetta, the provincial capital of Balochistan.
Violent clashes between police and PTI workers left one worker dead and over a dozen injured. “Our 11 workers also sustained injuries when police fired tear gas and used force”, Munir Baloch, the PTI Balochistan President said. The situation took an ugly turn when there was an abrupt firing during the rally of PTI workers protesting against the arrest of former prime minister Imran Khan.
11 policemen were also injured: A senior administration officer
Mr. Baloch and other party workers and leaders went into hiding after the police launched a crackdown against them. However, a senior officer in the Balochistan government said 11 police officials including three senior officers were injured when PTI workers pelted stones. The officer requested anonymity since he was not authorized to speak to the media.
All arrested PTI workers were shifted to various police stations in Quetta and other parts of Balochistan. Senior police officers have been interrogating the accused in custody for their involvement in damages to public and private properties, the Balochistan government officer mentioned.
The flow of traffic remains thin
The flow of traffic remained thin on the roads and streets of Quetta, the provincial capital. Security was tightened in the city to maintain law and order situation. Baton-wielding policemen were deployed at all sensitive locations to avert any untoward incident during the PTI’s protest rallies.
All mobile internet services remained suspended in Quetta and other parts of Balochistan on the instruction of the federal government. The provincial government has already imposed section 144 and imposed a ban on all types of protests and political rallies in Balochistan. The government has also banned the display of weapons in the province.
Baton-wielding policemen and anti riots policemen were deployed in Quetta to maintain the law and order situation.