ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad police have not arrested any “10-year-old child” during raids to arrest supporters of former prime minister Imran Khan who were involved in violence in the Pakistani capital over the weekend, the capital police said on Monday, in response to Khan allegations.
The statement by the Islamabad police came hours after Khan criticized the law enforcers for raiding homes of members of his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party without warrants and accused them of even apprehending “children as young as 10 years.”
Police launched a crackdown on Khan supporters following Saturday’s clashes between the two sides when the ex-premier arrived at the capital’s judicial complex for a court hearing. This was the second time in a week such clashes had taken place between police and Khan supporters.
“An organized propaganda campaign is being conducted on social media against the Islamabad Capital Police and other law enforcement agencies,” the Islamabad police said on Twitter.
“Islamabad police did not arrest any 10-year-old child. Hateful propaganda is being carried out to prevent police officers from their duties.”
The law enforcement agency said it had apprehended 198 suspected arsonists in the federal capital and teams were conducting raids for more arrests.
“The police are performing their duties within the ambit of the law. Law is equal for all,” the Islamabad police said further. “Parents should keep their young children away from crowds.”
Khan earlier described the police action as “fascism” and demanded immediate release of his party’s workers.
“Fascism at unprecedented levels with police in Islamabad raiding homes without warrants to abduct PTI workers. Where the worker is not present, children as young as 10 years are picked up,” the ex-premier said.
“We demand the immediate release of all our workers & their children who have been abducted.”
Prior to Saturday’s chaos in Islamabad, clashes erupted between the two sides in the eastern city of Lahore on Tuesday, when a team of Islamabad police attempted to arrest Khan after an Islamabad court issued his non-bailable warrants in a case involving the sale of state gifts.
Khan, who was ousted in a parliamentary no-trust vote in April last year, has been leading nationwide protests and pressing for snap elections nationwide that are otherwise scheduled to be held by October.
The former premier faces a slew of cases across the country, with charges against him ranging from murder to sedition, which carries a death penalty.
