ISLAMABAD: On Monday, the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) reportedly blocked the Computerized National Identity Cards (CNICs) of several Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders who were declared absconders in cases related to the May 9 riots.
The Interior Ministry, based on recommendations from the Punjab police, instructed NADRA to block the CNICs of these PTI leaders involved in the May 9 incidents.
The PTI leaders whose CNICs have been blocked include Murad Saeed, Azam Swat, Hammad Azhar, Aslam Iqbal, Karam Khokhar, Ali Amin Gandapur, Wasiq Qayyum Abbasi, Musarrat Cheema, Jamshed Cheema, Zubair Niazi, Malik Nadeem Abbas, and Ghulam Muhiuddin.
The decision to block their CNICs was made as they were declared absconders in cases related to the May 9 riots.
The May 9 riots erupted across Pakistan after the arrest of the PTI chairman in the Al-Qadir Trust case. Violent clashes and protests occurred in various cities, with PTI workers expressing their agitation.
The protests led to calls for the armed forces to ensure law and order in several regions, and there were incidents of attacks on army installations and the Corps Commander’s house in Lahore during the protests.
The CNICs of the PTI leaders will reportedly remain blocked until their appearance before Anti-Terrorism Courts (ATC) in the cases related to the May 9 incidents.
Lahore High Court Orders Release of PTI Leader Sher Afzal Marwat
In another development, the Lahore High Court issued an order for the release of Sher Afzal Marwat, a leader of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), while hearing a petition challenging his arrest.
During the hearing, the government presented a reply to the court regarding Marwat’s arrest. In response, advocate Mohsin Abbas argued that the petitioner should take the matter to the appropriate forum to address the detention.
Sher Afzal Marwat had been arrested on December 14 under Section 3 of the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO). Video footage from the incident showed lawyers attempting to intervene and rescue Marwat as police personnel dragged him towards a police vehicle.
The government stated that the detention order was issued by the deputy commissioner and requested the court to dismiss the petition against the detention.
Following the hearing, the Lahore High Court ordered the release of Sher Afzal Marwat.
