Atif Khan, former senior provincial minister and president of Peshawar Region Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), has alleged that caretaker Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government for filing a case against 86 PTI leaders and workers for participating in the Mardan Workers' Convention. Khan said that neither vandalism nor road blocking was done during the convention, which was held inside a private compound. However, the KP government did not allow the PTI to hold the convention, he said. "While all the other parties are busy in rallies and election campaigns, the PTI is being targeted by the government," Khan said.

He said that the PTI workers were booked under the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) for simply participating in a peaceful gathering. "This is a clear violation of the constitution and fundamental rights of the people," Khan said. He demanded that the KP government withdraw the case against the PTI workers and allow the party to hold its rallies and conventions peacefully. The FIR against the PTI workers was registered at the Chota Lahore police station in Mardan on October 6, 2023. The FIR alleges that the PTI workers caused damage to public property and blocked roads during the convention.

 However, Khan has denied these allegations, saying that the convention was held peacefully and that no damage was caused to public property. The PTI workers who have been booked in the case include lawyers, doctors, and businessmen. They have been charged with terrorism, rioting, and damaging public property. The PTI has condemned the registration of the case against its workers and has called it a political vendetta by the KP government.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)