Lahore police have filed a case against five individuals, including a woman, accused of orchestrating the recruitment and training of youths for violent acts during a Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) protest initially set for September 27 but postponed to October 4.
The First Information Report (FIR) lodged at Defence A police station alleges that the suspects intended to establish a “guerrilla-type group” aimed at confronting law enforcement, inciting unrest, and provoking anti-state sentiments. Among the named suspects are two individuals, one of whom is a woman, while three others remain unidentified. The charges include sections 186, 353, 120-B, 124, and 505 of the Pakistan Penal Code.
PTI had announced a march towards Islamabad on September 27 to press its demands; however, conflicting statements have since emerged, with the party declaring a postponement to October 4.
The FIR details that eight police officers, including a female constable, were patrolling a local market when an informant reported that a man named Amin was seeking “goons” to incite violence at the September 27 protest. The recruits were allegedly to be trained to clash with police and other security forces to escalate tensions and undermine the state.
Furthermore, police claim the group was being prepared to tarnish Pakistan’s international image and discredit national security and law enforcement agencies. The informant later indicated that the suspect was moving towards Chirar Pind from a cemetery with associates and could be apprehended through an immediate raid.
Following this, police formed a raiding party and surrounded four individuals identified by the informant. While one was arrested, three others fled towards the cemetery after resisting arrest. A phone recording retrieved from the arrested suspect’s mobile reportedly captured a woman instructing him to recruit 20 to 30 youths for training ahead of the protest.
The suspect allegedly identified the woman as his employer’s sister, who had directed the creation and training of a “guerrilla-type group” composed of PTI supporters to confront police. The three who escaped were also said to be part of this plan.
These allegations are documented in the police FIR and have not been independently verified.
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