Violence erupts at Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf convention, workers clash with police

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa [Pakistan], November 25 (ANI): A wave of panic and tension swept through Dir Bala district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) when clashes ensued between Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) workers and police during a party convention, as reported by ARY News on Saturday.
The turmoil unfolded in the Sahibabad area of Upper Dir district, where PTI workers were gathering for a convention. However, the district administration, citing Section 144, which prohibits gatherings of more than five people, had blocked roads leading to the convention site.
Confrontations escalated when police attempted to stop PTI workers at Chukiatan, resulting in the workers pelting stones at the law enforcement officers, as reported by ARY News.
In the midst of the clash, a PTI worker and a policeman sustained bullet injuries and were promptly transported to the hospital for medical attention.
Taking to X, PTI's Omar Ayub Khan alleged that the police resorted to firing on PTI workers attending the convention. He expressed his concerns, stating, "The Election Commission of Pakistan should tell if it is busy in holding rigged elections?"
A day prior, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) had urged the caretaker government to ensure an equal level playing field for all political parties in preparation for the upcoming General Election 2024.
The ECP's Additional Director General, in a letter, directed the caretaker Prime Minister's principal secretary and all provincial chief secretaries to address concerns raised by a political party regarding the perceived lack of fair chances and equitable opportunities.
The party leaders sought an end to discrimination, demanding equal opportunities for election campaigns.
The letter added that the leaders of the political party asked for an equal level playing field as others by allowing them to carry out the election campaign and demanded an end to non-discrimination by the government, ARY News reported. (ANI)