Imran Khan has vowed to go ahead with his protest demanding Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's resignation
Police tonight stormed a youth convention of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in Islamabad and arrested scores of party workers, even as a defiant Imran Khan vowed to go ahead with his protest next week despite a ban on political rallies demanding Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's resignation.
Police thrashed the PTI workers and detained them just when PTI vice-chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi was to address the youth convention here, eyewitness said.
Mr Qureshi, who was present at the site, said the police raid manifested dictatorial tactics of the ruling government. He said the party workers neither had any weapons nor they were protesting, Express Tribune reported.
"On what basis they have arrested our party's members?" Mr Qureshi questioned as he alleged that the government had arrested hundreds of PTI workers and police tortured the female workers of the party as well.
"Hundreds of PTI workers were arrested and female workers were tortured by the police," Mr Qureshi was quoted as saying by Dawn.
"We will discuss the situation with IG Islamabad." The district administration in the national capital had imposed section 144, banning public gatherings and display of weapons for two months.
According to a notification more than five people cannot gather at a location. Public rallies and mass gatherings have been banned, Radio Pakistan reported.
The notification came ahead of the sit-in by Imran-led party planned for November 2. The party is protesting alleged money laundering by Sharif and his family in the wake of the Panama Papers leak and is demanding the Premier's resignation.
Meanwhile, Islamabad High Court today ordered the opposition and government to abstain from shutting down the capital in the name of protest or maintaining law and order.
The court heard petitions to outlaw a threat by Imran to impose gridlock on Islamabad on November 2.
Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui said neither the opposition nor the government has any right under the law to shut down the city. He directed the government and city administration to ensure smooth running of daily business on November 2.
Mr Siddiqui ordered the city administration not to place any containers or block roads during the protest by PTI, while also restraining the opposition from imposing a lockdown.
The judge also summoned Imran on October 31 to explain why in his speeches he had threatened to shut down the capital.
"We will not let rights of citizens be violated," he said. He also asked the administration to inform PTI that it should restrict protests at a designated place.
The court observed that "judiciary is the third umpire" and can decide on matters related to law and Constitution.
The reference was made in the context of any possibility of intervention by army as Imran had earlier said that only Prime Minister Sharif will be responsible if democracy was derailed and a "third power" stepped in due to protests.
Addressing the media in Islamabad after the court order, Imran had said that using force against peaceful protesters is unconstitutional. He warned that the government's attempt to stop the rally will only result in spreading chaos.
Imran said he will challenge the High Court decision in the Supreme Court.