PTI protests in Khyber: 11 injured, about 50 arrested over emergency rule in KP

At least 11 Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) workers were injured and about 50 people arrested during protests in Khyber district against governor's rule and an emergency imposed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Oct. 11, officials said.

What happened during the PTI protests in Khyber?

Police and PTI supporters gave conflicting accounts of the clashes in Khyber's Bara tehsil. A PTI lawmaker says police fired on a peaceful protest, while police accuse protesters of attacking officers. Hospital sources confirmed 11 people were injured, and about 50 people were arrested on suspicion of disturbing public order.

What did police and officials say about the arrests?

Alam Khan, media coordinator at the Peshawar Capital City Police Office, told Nukta that cases would be registered against those accused of damaging public property and disrupting law and order. The charges would relate to terrorism, sabotage and taking the law into their own hands. He warned that strict legal action would follow and that attempts to disrupt public order would not be tolerated.

Samar Haroon Bilour, adviser on information to the provincial advisory council, confirmed that 25 of those arrested were Afghan nationals residing illegally in Pakistan. She said police had brought the situation under control through timely action. Law and order in the area remained stable, she added.

What did PTI say about the Khyber clashes?

Iqbal Afridi, a PTI lawmaker from Khyber, said party workers were holding a peaceful protest in Bara tehsil when police used batons, fired tear gas and opened fire to disperse them. He said 11 workers were injured. Hospital sources, speaking to Nukta on condition of anonymity, confirmed that 11 people were hurt in the clashes.

Police accused protesters of pelting officers with stones and briefly holding some of them hostage. They also alleged that demonstrators set fire to a Rescue 1122 office and pelted the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) office with stones. Police said protesters took equipment, including protective shields and batons, and used it in acts of violence.

Videos circulating on social media appear to show protesters attacking and beating police during the clashes. Police denied that any officers had been abducted in Khyber.

Why are PTI supporters protesting in Khyber?

The protests erupted after authorities imposed governor's rule and an emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Oct. 11. PTI supporters took to the streets in Khyber district to oppose the measures. Khyber is the home district of suspended Chief Minister Sohail Afridi.

It is so far the only district in the province where PTI supporters have staged street protests against the measures. Security sources said additional contingents of police and the Frontier Corps were deployed in the district after the violence. They have instructions to arrest more workers allegedly involved in the unrest, and authorities have begun identifying protesters seen in videos of the clashes.