Lahore: A large Punjab Police contingent invaded Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) President Parvez Elahi’s apartment Friday night to arrest him, sparking harsh criticism from the party, which has been protesting the arrests of its activists and officials.
After Sohail Zafar Chattha, the DG of Punjab’s Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE), left with the police, the six-hour police action ended.
Chattha denied misconduct to the reporters at the former chief minister’s residence. He said they did nothing wrong and threw a petrol bomb at the cops who arrested Elahi.
He said Elahi’s residents started the action without police cooperation. PTI opposed Chattha’s DG ACE appointment. In February, the Imran Khan-led party sued the Punjab caretaker administration.
The police and anti-corruption officials temporarily suspended their operation since Elahi’s cell phone showed he is at his apartment. They resumed after the arrested house help told them Elahi was at home.
Police arrested 27 people, including PTI protesters and servants.
Moreover, The raid came hours after the PTI and Pakistan Democratic Movement-led government began talks on election dates, with the former demanding that law enforcers stop arresting their members or risk derailing the talks.
Khan’s popularity is rising due to the authorities’ pressure methods, as none of the government’s members have been raided at night.
Police raided the former Punjab chief minister’s home twice in February but didn’t arrest him. Punjab Police raided Khan’s Zaman Park home in March, but court orders halted it.
A large police force and anti-corruption officials stormed Elahi’s home. During the operation, police blocked Chaudhary Zahoor Elahi Road outside the property.
While, After the residents resisted the arrest, a police APC broke the main gate. Police said they were stoned, injuring them and reporters.
SP Ammara Shirazi and female police officers raided Elahi’s house. After searching the house, they left.
