On Wednesday, the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) delving into the events surrounding the May 9 riots descended upon Peshawar in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with a singular objective — the apprehension of Mian Aslam Iqbal, a prominent figure within the ranks of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party. The JIT’s leading force, DIG Investigation Lahore Imran Kishwar, spearheaded the operation, aiming to detain Iqbal, who had been put forth as the PTI’s nominee for the pivotal role of Chief Minister of Punjab.
The JIT, bolstered by a substantial contingent of law enforcement, strategically stationed themselves outside the Speaker House in Peshawar, where intelligence indicated Iqbal had sought refuge to evade arrest. The backdrop to this pursuit was a significant legal development earlier in the day when the Peshawar High Court granted transit bail to Iqbal in connection with a myriad of charges stemming from his alleged involvement in the May 9 riots.
It is essential to underscore that Mian Aslam Iqbal was among a cohort of PTI leaders officially designated as absconders in the aftermath of the May 9 case. This designation was formalized by an anti-terrorism court in Lahore on May 9, 2023, which categorically labeled 11 PTI candidates, including Iqbal, as individuals evading legal processes.
The unfolding events underscore the complexity and intensity surrounding the legal ramifications of the May 9 riots, with political figures finding themselves entangled in a web of investigations and legal proceedings, further emphasizing the broader societal implications and the delicate balance between law enforcement and political governance.
