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There have been allegations of large-scale rigging in final month's voting, with the PTI accusing officers of stopping it from coming to energy.
Islamabad, Pakistan – Police in Pakistan have been accused of brutally attacking supporters of the principle opposition get together and arresting greater than 100 of its members throughout nationwide protests over alleged rigging in final month's basic election.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Sunday known as for protests to demand the restoration of its “stolen mandate” within the February 8 elections in addition to the speedy launch of its leaders, together with get together founder and former prime minister Imran. Had known as. Mine.
Final month's vote was marred by allegations of widespread rigging, which PTI says was carried out by officers to stop it from coming to energy.
PTI has seen an unprecedented crackdown since Khan's authorities was ousted from energy in 2022. Khan himself has been in jail since August final yr after being convicted in circumstances associated to leaking authorities secrets and techniques, corruption and even an “unlawful” marriage. He denied the allegations, calling them politically motivated and supposed to maintain him away from energetic politics.
In the meantime, the crackdown on his get together triggered PTI to lose its election image days earlier than the election, which it was broadly tipped to win. This motion compelled its candidates to contest the elections as independents.
Election day was marred by violence, adopted by unusually delayed outcomes, resulting in fears that votes have been manipulated by the Election Fee of Pakistan.
Nonetheless, PTI-backed candidates emerged as the biggest political group in Parliament, successful 93 seats. However its rivals – Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN) with 75 seats and Pakistan Peoples Celebration (PPP) with 54 seats – shaped an alliance and shaped the federal government earlier this month.
PTI says it opposes the brand new authorities as a result of votes have been rigged and has demanded motion in opposition to election officers and the interim authorities overseeing the elections.
To press ahead its calls for, PTI has known as on its supporters throughout the nation to take to the streets on Sunday.
The demonstration within the jap metropolis of Lahore turned violent as PTI members and supporters took out a rally, elevating slogans in opposition to the federal government and demanding its dismissal.
A number of movies on social media confirmed cops attacking protesters with sticks and pushing individuals inside police autos.
A video exhibits a bearded man holding a PTI flag being pulled out of his automobile. A big crowd gathered round his automobile and the police needed to let the person go. One other video confirmed a PTI chief being dragged inside a police automobile as he continued shouting slogans.
In a press release, PTI stated all its arrested leaders needs to be instantly launched and “the shameful chain of state repression, brutality and fascism needs to be deserted”. The get together stated it could maintain weekly protests till its calls for have been met.
“Most people arrested (on Sunday) have been launched, however the concern is that the police can not arrest people who find themselves protesting peacefully,” PTI chief Shayan Bashir advised Al Jazeera.