Sialkot
In a crackdown against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), which has hit the street against the ouster of the Imran Khan-led government, Pakistani authorities resorted to tear gas and baton-charge the party workers who were preparing for a rally in Sialkot on Saturday morning, according to local media.
Dawn newspaper, citing PTI s tweet, said that multiple party members, including leader Usman Dar, had been taken into custody ahead of the rally scheduled to be held later in the day.
Citing television footage, the Pakistani newspaper reported that police personnel were seen dismantling structures erected for the rally while clouds of tear gas were also seen in the footage.
According to the District Police Officer (DPO) Hasan Iqbal, who was present at the rally venue, the local Christian community had objected to holding the public meeting on the ground, saying that it was their property.
As you know we are right now standing on a ground that belongs to the Christian community. They had filed a writ (petition) in the High Court, asking that no political rally be held on the grounds, Iqbal said, adding that the court then directed the Sialkot deputy commissioner to listen to both parties and decide the case.
