LAHORE: Lahore Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Operations Faisal Kamran has claimed that police have uncovered an alleged plan to bring trained individuals to Lahore for a Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) protest.
Speaking to the media, Kamran said an audio recording had surfaced in which PTI leader Fatima Haider allegedly called for 20 to 30 individuals to be trained and brought to Lahore. He said one suspect had been arrested and the recording was recovered from his mobile phone.
The DIG alleged that the individuals were being brought to Lahore with the intention of creating a situation similar to the events of May 9. He claimed that the woman mentioned in the recording was also an accused in a May 9-related case.
Kamran identified the arrested suspect as Amin, saying he was a resident of Sahiwal and worked as a driver for the woman’s family. He said police were investigating where the alleged training of the individuals was taking place and added that another arrest was expected soon.
He said the Punjab Forensic Science Agency (PFSA) would conduct a forensic examination of the audio recording. A case has been registered at Defence A police station, he added.
The DIG said peaceful protest was a constitutional right of every citizen, but alleged that previous PTI protests had not remained peaceful. He said the police were sharing the information to highlight what he described as preparations behind claims that the upcoming protests would be peaceful.
Separately, Kamran said police were investigating an alleged gang-rape incident reported in the Defence C area of Lahore. He said the investigation was being conducted jointly by the Crime Control Department (CCD), Operations and Investigation wings.
He added that the vehicle allegedly used by the suspects had been taken into police custody, while further investigation into the case was underway.
