Usman Dar says Imran Khan will visit Sialkot today.
Police baton charge PTI workers and get the rally venue vacated.
No one has been taken into custody, says DPO.
SIALKOT: Police launched a crackdown on the PTI’s activists and got the rally venue vacated in Sialkot in the wee hours of Saturday after they tried to hold a public meeting at the CTI ground, a property of the Christian community, without their consent.
A day earlier, the district administration of Sialkot had rejected PTI’s request for holding a rally at the CTI ground after the Christian community raised objection over the PTI’s scheduled meeting at their property.
Earlier today, PTI leader Usman Dar accompanied by a score of PTI workers arrived at the ground and started preparations for a rally, upon which police launched a crackdown and arrested Usman Dar and many other party workers.
“We have stopped the PTI from holding a public meeting at the CTI ground on the request of the Christian community,” said Deputy Commissioner Imran Qureshi.
He said that permission is required for holding a public meeting at a private place. Taking action on the request of the minority community, the police have got the CTI ground vacated. Christian community told the police that they perform their religious rites on the ground.
The Christian community was protesting against PTI’s call for holding a rally at their property, said the district administration.
Following police action, many PTI workers showed resistance, however police baton-charged and used tear gas to disperse PTI workers.
PTI leader Usman Dar said that a peaceful rally was their right, adding that former prime minister Imran Khan would visit Sialkot today.
The Christian community had approached the Lahore High Court, the DPO said, adding that the police took action on court orders to stop the PTI from holding rally.
The DPO, however, said: “We are ready to give PTI an alternate place for public gathering.”
Rejecting reports of arrest, DPO said that no one has been taken into custody, adding that they were just removing chairs and other stuff kept over here.
‘Get ready Sialkot! Imran Khan is coming’
Reacting to the police action in Sialkot, former federal minister for planning Asad Umar said that the ‘imported government’, frightened by the historic public gatherings of Imran Khan, tortured and arrested Usman Dar and others in the city.
Taking to his Twitter handle, he said “The nation is not afraid. Get ready Sialkot! Imran Khan is coming this evening.”
He maintained that the entire Pakistan will see that Sialkot stands with the captain.