ISLAMABAD: Former Prime Minister Imran Khan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur have been named in a police complaint after the death of a constable in Islamabad during the recent protest by Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party.
Clashes erupted in the federal capital and nearby cities on Friday and Saturday as police tried to stop PTI supporters from entering Islamabad, with officials accusing protesters of throwing stones, firing bullets and launching tear gas shells, causing dozens of injuries and one death.
PTI supporters, mainly arriving from KP under Gandapur’s leadership, were responding to Khan’s call to gather in Islamabad and protest near the parliament building.
The police complaint, filed over the weekend and reported by the media on Tuesday, also named PTI stalwarts Omar Ayub, Azam Swati and Islamabad president Aamir Mughal, accusing some of inciting the violent protests while others of actively participating in them.
“Through court orders, Imran Khan has been given unusual and unnecessary contact and meeting facilities outside of the jail manual, due to which he continues to incite his political workers to violence against the state and its institutions,” the police complaint read.
“He directs the PTI to lead such violent crowds that could create chaos and disorder in the country,” it added. “Acting on these orders, Ali Amin Gandapur, using provincial government resources, provided support and directly and indirectly led the protesters, ordering them to reach D-Chowk [in Islamabad for protest] and attack or kill any security personnel who stood in their way to free Imran Khan.”
The official document particularly mentioned the PTI’s Islamabad president, accusing him of direct involvement in the death of the police constable.
“Aamir Mughal, along with other participants, forcibly grabbed Constable Abdul Hameed and assaulted him with kicks, punches, sticks and stones,” it said while referring to a clash at the entry point of the capital.
The police said that violence occurred despite warnings to PTI supporters that the government had imposed Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code, which prohibits large gatherings.
It claimed that Constable Hameed was “kidnapped” and tortured.
He was later found unconscious by his colleagues but succumbed to his injuries.
Imran Khan, KP chief minister named in police complaint over constable’s death in Islamabad
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Imran Khan, KP chief minister named in police complaint over constable’s death in Islamabad
- The cop lost his life during a clash with PTI supporters who wanted to protest for Khan’s release in the capital
- Police specifically mention the PTI president of Islamabad, accusing him of torturing the constable who died
Pakistan joins 22 Muslim states, OIC to condemn Israeli FM’s visit to Somaliland
- Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar visited breakaway African region of Somaliland on January 6
- Muslim states urge Israel to withdraw Somaliland recognition, respect Somalia’s sovereignty
ISLAMABAD: A joint statement by Pakistan, 22 other Muslim states and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on Thursday condemned Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar’s recent visit to Somaliland as a violation of the African nation’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.
Saar’s visit to Somaliland capital Hargeisa on Jan. 6 followed Israel’s move last month to recognize Somaliland, a breakaway region from Somalia, as an independent country. The move drew a sharp reaction from Muslim states, including Pakistan, who said it was in contravention of the UN Charter and international norms.
Several international news outlets months earlier reported that Israel had contacted Somaliland over the potential resettlement of Palestinians forcibly removed from Gaza. Muslim countries fear Israel’s recognition of the breakaway region could be part of its plan to forcibly relocate Palestinians from Gaza to the region.
“The said visit constitutes a clear violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Somalia, and undermines established international norms and the United Nations Charter,” the joint statement shared by Pakistan’s foreign office, read.
The joint statement was issued on behalf of 23 Muslim states, including Saudi Arabia, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Egypt, Iraq, Iran, Palestine, Jordan, Kuwait, Türkiye, Oman and others.
It reaffirmed support for Somalia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, pointing out that respect for international law and non-interference in the internal affairs of sovereign states was necessary for regional stability.
“Encouraging secessionist agendas are unacceptable and risk exacerbating tensions in an already fragile region,” the statement said.
The joint statement urged Israel to revoke its recognition of the breakaway region.
“Israel should fully respect Somalia’s sovereignty, national unity and territorial integrity and honor its obligations in compliance with international law, and demand immediate revocation of the recognition issued by Israel,” the statement read.
Somaliland broke away from Somalia unilaterally in 1991 as a civil war raged in the country. Somaliland has its own constitution, parliament and currency, a move that has infuriated Somalia over the years as it insists the region is part of its territory.
