As former prime minister Imran Khan arrived at the Federal Judicial Complex (FJC) to attend a hearing in the Toshakhana case, there were violent clashes between police and PTI supporters in the federal capital that left at least 25 people hurt and set numerous vehicles, including motorbikes, on fire.
Conflicts erupted as a sizable crowd gathered at the courthouse in response to a social media call from PTI leadership.
A total of 4,000 people, including 700 FC members and 1,000 Punjab police officers, were stationed inside and outside the complex to uphold law and order and prevent the crowd from entering.
Barricades, containers, and barbed wire were also used to demarcate the area, and law enforcement personnel, including an anti-riot team, were stationed at the complex.
At 10:30 am, a group of police officers and lawyers got into their first physical altercation of the day, but the police remained composed and took no action. When the PTI leader arrived in Islamabad at 1:00 pm, the police force stationed close to the Islamabad toll plaza intercepted the group that was following Khan.
Near the toll plaza, there was a second physical altercation between law enforcement and PTI employees. The police retreated, and the convoy moved on to G-13.
Law enforcement made another attempt to stop the gathering at G-13, but it was unsuccessful. Another attempt by the police to disperse the supporters at the G-11 traffic light proved to be fruitless.
The Imran Khan security team rejected the official jammer vehicle that the on-duty officer in charge offered to stop the jammer vehicle that was escorting Mr. Khan.
Law enforcement officers and PTI employees then engaged in a fierce melee as both sides used tear gas and baton charges against one another. The law enforcement officers were surrounded by the PTI horde, which may have included Gilgit police who were on duty protecting Imran Khan, and were attacked with stones and tear gas.Eventually, the police were pushed away from G-11 to Mehrabadi.
Around the judicial complex, further altercations between the police and PTI broke out. 25 motorcycles, four vehicles, including a bomb disposal vehicle of the capital police, and a Punjab police bus were all damaged during the clashes. Over 25 officials were hurt during the clash, and the mob also set a police chowki on fire.
Later, the motorcade moved to the courthouse, where law enforcement made another attempt to stop the crowd. This led to a physical altercation as well, with stones and gas serving as the main weapons.
To signify his presence, PTI Senator Shibli Faraz arrived at Mr. Khan’s vehicle with court personnel and police. But because of the altercation and the baton charge, the team was unable to get to the PTI chief’s car. Senator Faraz was physically assaulted and manhandled by an SP as he made his way to the vehicle.
The SP received the file from the court staff after it had been signed, but as a precaution, the SP also “disappeared” with the file. During the clashes, the capital administration declared an emergency at all state-run medical facilities. 25 police officers and 5 civilians were among the 30 injured who were taken to the hospital for treatment.
According to the police PRO, the police and the PTI had agreed that during Mr. Khan’s arrival at the courthouse, law and order in the capital should not be disturbed. But the PTI employees and supporters ruined law and order and attacked the police, the spokesperson continued.
The police alleged that several PTI employees involved in the law and order situation had been arrested and that cases had been filed against them.
