SIALKOT:Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Usman Dar and other party workers have been arrested over public rally preparation in the city, police said Saturday.
A scuffle broke out between PTI workers and police at the venue of PTI chief Imran Khan’s public meeting. Police entered the venue of PTI public meeting claiming that the district administration had not allowed the party to hold public meeting at CTI Ground in Sialkot. Upon resistance by PTI workers, police resorted to tear gas shelling and baton-charge in an effort to disperse PTI workers.
A large contingent of police was present in the hall while several workers including Usman Dar, Ali Asjad Malhi and former DG Anti-Corruption Aslam Ghman from the venue were taken into custody. The district administration, yesterday, refused to grant PTI permission to hold a public rally at the CTI Ground in Sialkot. However, the PTI was still preparing for the meeting.
The administration raised an objection that the PTI organizers did not seek permission from the owners of the CTI Ground to hold their public gathering at the Sialkot site. “Holding a public rally on a private property without owners’ consent cannot be approved,” said official, adding that they are ready to give them an alternative venue for the meeting.
DPO Sialkot revealed that the ground belongs to Christian community which repudiated any political party to hold a public meeting at their place. Giving the reason for not granting the permission, the administration said that members of the Christian community were opposed to holding of the gathering on the piece of land they claimed belonged to the church.
Meanwhile, Usman Dar has said that he stands with PTI Chairman and his love for Imran Khan will not be affected even if he is sent to jail. He reiterated that former premier will attend the rally no matter what.