PESHAWAR/ISLAMABAD: As Islamabad police on Monday arrested Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, National Assembly member Sher Afzal Marwat outside the Parliament House, and PTI leader Shoaib Shaheen from his office, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Adviser on Information Barrister Saif claimed that Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has gone missing.
In a statement, Barrister Saif said that there had been no contact with Ali Amin Gandapur since noon on Monday, and all his phone numbers were switched off.
He added that Gandapur was not in Peshawar but in Islamabad, and his whereabouts were unknown, despite continuous efforts to reach him. “Attempts are being made to arrest Ali Amin Gandapur,” he said.
While speaking on Geo News’ programme “Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Ke Saath,” Barrister Saif said that he had spoken to Ali Amin Gandapur at 3pm. Gandapur had informed him that he was going to Islamabad for a meeting, but now his phone is switched off, and the numbers of his close staff are also unreachable. There has been no contact with Ali Amin Gandapur since 5 or 6pm, he said.
He accused the federal government of indulging in fascism, vowing, “We will fight this oppression and won’t let them run away.”
Also read: PTI leaders apologise to journalists over Gandapur’s ‘disparaging’ remarks
Earlier in the evening, Islamabad police arrested Barrister Gohar, Sher Afzal Marwat, and Shoaib Shaheen, while PTI leader Zartaj Gul evaded capture after slipping past the police.
As the National Assembly session concluded, a heavy contingent of police arrived outside Parliament House in full gear.
When PTI leaders emerged, the police swiftly arrested Sher Afzal Marwat. A scuffle broke out between Marwat’s supporters and the police as they tried to prevent his arrest, but the police eventually whisked him away in a van and impounded his vehicle. Two of Marwat’s associates were also arrested.
Barrister Gohar was similarly detained by police as he exited the Parliament House and was transferred to the Secretariat Police Station.
Meanwhile, PTI’s Aamir Dogar and Ali Muhammad Khan left the Parliament House without being arrested. Following Marwat’s arrest, other PTI legislators chose to remain inside the parliament building.
Police sources said that Zartaj Gul and Omar Ayub are also on the list for arrest. Zartaj Gul reportedly managed to evade capture by hiding in the back seat of her vehicle.
According to sources, PTI leadership, including Sher Afzal Marwat, is accused of flouting an agreement with the Islamabad administration, attacking police officers, violating rally timings, and making “anti-state” speeches during the rally in the Sangjani area of Islamabad.