By Syed Tauqeer Zaidi
DERA ISMAIL KHAN: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) workers staged protest demonstrations across Dera Ismail Khan on Saturday, demanding the release of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, causing major disruption to inter-provincial traffic.
Led by Insaf Youth Wing South Region President Abdul Wasi Mehsud, party workers staged sit-ins at multiple locations, blocking key routes including Dera Darya Khan Bridge and Dera Chashma Road Bridge. The closures suspended traffic between Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab, leaving long queues of passenger buses and freight vehicles stranded for hours. Demonstrations were also reported at Dera Chashma Road, Dera Darya Khan Road, and Qureshi Mor.
According to reports, police resorted to a baton charge late at night at Dera Darya Khan Bridge when protesters refused to disperse. Several PTI workers were injured in the action. Protesters later regrouped at Qureshi Mor to continue their sit-in.
Following the incident, DSP Malik Abid Iqbal was suspended over the alleged baton charge on demonstrators.
In response, civil society members organized a protest rally against the suspension, marching from GPO Chowk to the One-Five area. Speakers at the rally criticized what they described as political victimization of Dera Ismail Khan police, noting the force’s ongoing fight against terrorism. They praised DSP Malik Abid Iqbal as a brave officer who had courageously confronted militants and called for his immediate reinstatement.
Participants urged the district administration and police department to restore the officer to his position without delay.
#DIKProtests #PTIProtest #DeraIsmailKhan #TrafficDisruption #PoliceAction #BatonCharge #DSPMalikAbidIqbal #CivilSocietySupport #PoliticalVictimization #LawAndOrder #DIKCrackdown #17Arrests #ProaCircleOperation #CounterTerrorism #NationalActionPlan #SecurityOperations #IntelligenceBasedRaids #PublicSafety #PoliceReinstatement #DistrictPoliceEfforts
