Authorities in Rawalpindi have filed a case against hundreds of individuals following a protest that escalated into violence, reportedly incited by Aleema Khan. The incident led to confrontations with law enforcement officials.
The First Information Report (FIR) lodged at Sadr Bairooni police station names approximately 400 participants, including prominent Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) members such as MNA Shahid Khattak and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provincial minister Meena Khan. Additional individuals cited in the FIR include Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government spokesperson Shafi Jan, Mirza Afridi, Shafqat Awan, Iqbal Afridi, and Naeem Panjutha.
In a significant development, 41 people were apprehended at the protest site, while nine police officers sustained injuries from stone-throwing by demonstrators. Authorities also recovered materials used for manufacturing petrol bombs from 13 vehicles seized during the operation.
Police allege that the protest was premeditated and aimed at exerting pressure through violent tactics. During the unrest, a government vehicle was damaged, and protesters chanted slogans against state institutions.
Meanwhile, the demonstrators obstructed a major highway, causing severe disruption to daily activities and bringing traffic to a halt in several parts of the city.