Web desk: An FIR has been registered against 400 individuals, including 11 nominees, for clashing with police during protest in Lahore, which left several police personnel and passersby injured.
Protesters began their march from Lahore on Friday, planning to reach Islamabad to stage an anti-Israel demonstration outside the US Embassy.
The situation turned violent at Yatim Khana Chowk, where clashes erupted between protesters and police.
A case has been registered at the Nawan Kot police station on the complaint of the police. The FIR names 11 suspects and lists around 400 people in total.
The charges include terrorism, interference in government affairs, and attempted murder.
Police said the protesters blocked Multan Road, damaged public property, and shouted slogans against the state and its institutions.
At least seven police officials, including the SHO, were injured in the attack. Two passersby also sustained injuries during the clashes.
According to Edhi Foundation spokesperson Younis Bhatti, several injured policemen were taken to different hospitals by Edhi volunteers.
Minister of State for Interior Affairs Tallal Chaudhry: Press Conference
Minister of State for Interior Affairs Tallal Chaudhry condemned the violence, saying that mob politics has no place in Pakistan and that law enforcement will ensure public safety.
“The Pakistani government and state are absolutely clear that protesting is a political, religious and fundamental right, but it has been enshrined in the Constitution with certain terms and conditions,” the state minister said at a press conference.
“If people will exercise their right to protest, they must do so in line with our conditions,” he added.
“Mob rule has no place in Pakistan,” Minister of State for Interior Affairs Tallal Chaudhry stated.
“I will give the media footage showing them using sticks, chemicals, glass balls and tennis balls with nails lodged in them,” he added. “They fire these at police and Rangers personnel like slingshots and have injured over a dozen of them.”
