PTI leaders indicted in Karachi rioting case

KARACHI: A local court on Monday indicted a central leader of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf, three MPAs and other local leaders in a rioting case related to vandalizing the Cantonment Board Clifton (CBC) office during a protest demonstration over water issue.

The judge read out charges against Dr Arif Alvi MNA, Samar Ali Khan, Khurram Sherzaman, Dr Seema Zia MPAs– and other protesters, who pleaded not guilty and opted to contest the charges against them.

While adjourning the case hearing, the court directed the prosecution to present its witnesses in the next hearing to record their statements.

The PTI leaders along with residents of Clifton and Defense were booked for rioting during a protest demonstration outside the CBC building on April 09 against shortage of water in these areas.

The FIR was lodged on a complaint of CBC official at the Darakshan police station under Section 147 (rioting), 149 (every member of unlawful assembly guilty of offence committed in prosecution of common object), 186 (obstructing public servant in discharge of public functions) and other relevant sections.

According to the complainant, the PTI leaders stormed the CBC building by breaking deliberately the glass door of the office. “They disregarded the rules and official procedures laid down for visiting any government office and created nuisance, inconvenience to public and obstruction in the discharge of public functions.”