ISLAMABAD: Hours after supporters of Jamhoori Wattan Party (JWP) chief Shahzain Bugti attacked Qasim Suri while he and his guests were having Suhoor at an eatery in Kohsar Market neighbourhood of Islamabad, the former National Assembly deputy speaker approached police, seeking action against the group of “unidentified men”.
A video shared by journalist Murtaza Ali Shah shows a group of men approaching Suri while raising slogans of “PTI murdabaad (down with PTI)”.
Before Suri can get away, the men surround and assail him. Fists fly, as do dishes and miscellaneous tableware.
Video of an attack on Qasim Suri just now.
Dear PDM,
Chants of Chor and Ghaddar in Madina on you were by common Pakistanis, NOT PTI workers; we didn’t send any plane to Madina like you. #MarchAgainstImportedGovt pic.twitter.com/2y7ljISxc9
— PTI (@PTIofficial) April 28, 2022
Suri submitted an application to the Kohsar station house officer, detailing the incident and asking for justice.
An FIR was later registered on Suri’s behalf under Sections 148 (rioting while armed with deadly weapon), 149 (punishment for all members of an unlawful assembly guilty of offence committed in prosecution of common object) and 506 (punishment for criminal intimidation) of the Pakistan Penal Code.
No individuals were nominated in the FIR.
Meanwhile, SSP Faisal Kamran gave assurances that action would be taken against the suspects according to the law, adding that they are being traced with the help of cameras installed as part of the Safe City project and those mounted at the restaurant.
“The suspects will be arrested soon,” he said.
The attack came shortly after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his coterie of ministers were catcalled and jeered at by pilgrims at Masjid-e-Nabawi in Madina. Epithets like “chor, chor” (thieves), traitors and beggars were hurled at them by the angry protesters.
