Asia Bibi acquittal: KP police submits report on TLP protests to Interior Ministry

PESHAWAR: The Interior Ministry on Wednesday received a report from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) police detailing the vandalism, arson and harassment of citizens during Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) protests following a Supreme Court verdict acquitting Asia Bibi. 

According to the report, the miscreants, involved in damaging property in Nowshera and Hangu, have been arrested. Moreover, 25 have been registered in cases for inciting violence out of which eight suspects have been arrested.

Further, the report reads that 17 suspects who set ablaze the Rashakai Interchange Toll Plaza have been taken under custody while efforts are under way to arrest the rest.

As per the yesterday’s report of the Ministry of Interior, nearly 1800 rioters have been apprehended, countrywide, by law enforcement agencies for being allegedly involved in riots.

In Islamabad, 700 people have been booked in cases, 56 arrested and 26 have been remanded.The order to imprison 19 rioters under the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) has also been issued.

Moreover, 70 rioters have been taken into custody from Sheikhupura.

In Karachi, cases have been registered in 34 police stations across the metropolis against rioters. In Lahore, eight suspects have been sent on a 14-day physical remand.

A case has also been registered against former MNA Aslam Kachela and 300 others in Sargodha, whereas, seven have been booked in DI Khan.

The demonstrations of far-right parties caused massive loss to the country, in which the rioters reportedly set ablaze vehicles and properties, in addition to torturing fellow countrymen.